Two-time Olympian Shew Mewalall may have been overlooked by the government with his feats yet to be recognised, but Krishna Lall wants to keep the legacy of his dead father alive by coming up with a museum.The diminutive former Indian striker, whose solitary goal against Iran earned India their maiden Asian Games title in 1951, died at a city hospital on December 26 after suffering from a prolonged illness. With more than 50 international medals, 40 trophies, numerous certificates, blazers, jerseys lying unnoticed at his home in Hastings, Krishna Lall plans to put it together in a proposed museum which is being planned to come up by July 1, Mewalall’s 83rd birthday.“Not only will the memorabilia of Mewa Lall will remain safe, but it will inspire people who will come to know about the great Indian centre-forward,” Krishna Lall said.“I have a trunk-load of medals which include his participating medals in London (1948) and the Helsinki (1952) Olympics. There’s also the gold medal given to him by Jawaharlal Nehru for his goal in the Asian Games final. Besides, there are several certificates and photos. So the idea struck me to build a museum in his memory,” he said.Having been ignored for the Padma Shri, an ailing Mewalall had received another shock during his last few days when the 82-year-old was not given admission at South Eastern Railway’s BNR Hospital with the medical authorities refusing to recognise him.“Perhaps the museum will educate and inspire people — many of whom are not aware of my father’s achievements. Many did not even know my father’s name properly till he died. I hope the museum will create an awareness. Moreover, the future generations in our family will feel proud after knowing that they are part of the great Mewalall’s family,” he added.
