Mangalore, Jun 23: The residence of Rashtrakavi Manjeshwar Govinda Pai will be converted into a full-fledged museum in the days to come, M Veerappa Moily, Union Petroleum Minister said.
He was speaking after inaugurating 'Saaketha' guest house and commencement ceremony of 'Bhavanika' bulding under 'Gilivindu' project at a programme held at the premises of the legendary poet's residence in Manjeshwar on Sunday.
Stating that works of poets like Manjeshwar Govinda Pai are national assets, Mr. Moily said that all attempts must be made to protect them and encourage his idea of research and multi lingual prowess.
“It is a long pending demand that the residence of Manjeshwar Govinda Pai be converted into a full fledged museum. We want to take it up and the funds for the same will be arranged by Indian Oil Corporation coming under my ministry. We have with the help of the Corporation and Arcehological Survey of India taken up resurrection of monuments in Devanahalli, Konark, Khajuraho, Warrangal etc in the past. I intend to take up the restoration of Manjeshwar Govinda Pai's residence and converting it into a museum on the lines of Kuvempu's and D R Bendre's residence museums and constructing of an auditorium in his name, the funds for which will be pooled by four oil companies as part of their CSR. Let Manjeshwar be a centre of pilgrimage for writers”, Mr. Moily said, directing Deputy Commissioner P S Mohammed Sagheer to hold a workshop inviting Kannada as well as Malayalam poets and writers to exchange their thoughts and enhance literary activity.
A writer himself, Mr. Moily said that literature is the oxygen that has the power to inspire and rejuvenate. “I write everyday for an hour and a half in the morning and for two hours in the night. It helps me keep my mind fresh”, Mr. Moily said, while revealing that his upcoming poetic work 'Yugavande Yajnasene' comprising more than 40,000 lines, is in the editing stage.
P Karunakaran, Member of Parliament, Kasaragod, said that Manjeshwar Govinda Pai was not just a poet for Malayalis or Kannadigas but a national poet who had mastered more than 20 languages. “Such a desire to learn and write in so many languages is an inspiration for younger generations which needs to be passed on. Mr. Pai's contribution has to be made known to the world”, he said.
The MP pointed out to the Deputy Commissioner that on an immediate basis, a compound wall needs to be built to protect the residence of the poet as well as the newly inaugurated guest house in the same premises, besides appointing a watchman to take care of the security of the place.
Abdul Razak, MLA, Manjeshwar, N A Nellikunnu, MLA, Kasaragod, Adva Shyamala Devi, President, Kasaragod Zilla Panchayat, Mumtaz Sameera, President, Manjeshwar Block Panchayat, Mushrath Jahan, President, Manjeshwar Gram Panchayat, D K Chowta, President, Rashtrakavi Govinda Pai Smaaraka Pratishthaana, B Subbayya Rai, President, Kerala Tulu Academy were among those present.
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