Karnataka - Mangalore

Trust seeks Rs. 2 crore for Govind Pai memorial

MANGALORE: The newly constituted Rashtrakavi Manjeshwar Govind Pai Memorial Trust has sought Government support to build a memorial for the Kannada poet. The trust is headed by Chairman of the Central Administrative Commission and former Chief Minister M. Veerappa Moily.

Initially planned at a cost of Rs. 1.25 crore and meant to be expanded further, the memorial will come up at Manjeshwar, in Kasaragod district of Kerala. The late Govind Pai lived in Manjeshwar, which was part of the presidency then. The project, known as Gilivindu, provides for the restoration of the house the poet owned and lived in at Manjeshwar.

Mr. Moily told presspersons here on Sunday that the trust has urged the Governments of Kerala and Karnataka to grant Rs. 50 lakh each for the project. He hoped that the forthcoming Budgets of the two States would make the necessary allocations for the project. The trust has also urged the Centre to grant Rs. 1 crore for the project. He said he had been trying to get the funds from the Centre and it had evinced interest in the project.

Mr. Moily said the project has got the support of Manjeshwar MLA C.H. Kunhambu, who has been appointed as a trustee. Mr. Kunhambu was trying to take the project forward, Mr. Moily said. Mr. Kunhambu was also present at the meet. Mr. Moily said the former Secretary of the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat D. Krishna Chowta will be its managing trustee.

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