MCC, MUDA, Library Department to rebuild the library

Mysore/Mysuru: Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha, on Monday, handed over a cheque for Rs. 50,000 to rebuild the library of Syed Isak at Rajivnagar 2nd Stage, which was destroyed in fire recently.

Speaking to press persons, Pratap Simha, condemning the incident, said that he had spoken with the City Police Commissioner to conduct a thorough probe into the incident and bring the culprits to book. 

“We are with Syed Isak and BJP has extended all help to Syed, who had built the library on his own and looking after it since a decade,” he said.

He further said that the library stood on a Civic Amenity (CA) site and added that he would speak with Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Chairman and take steps to rebuild the burnt down library on the same spot.

MCC, MUDA Commissioners visit spot

Meanwhile, Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) Commissioner Shilpa Nag, who visited the spot, said that MCC, MUDA and Library Department have decided to rebuild the library of Syed which will be led by a Library Committee headed by the Mayor.

Continuing, she said that Syed would be given a Hon. Membership to the Committee and added that every donation being received to rebuild the library will be directed to the Committee. A separate account will be opened and steps will be taken to construct the new library structure at the same spot.

“Already there is a library in Udayagiri and there is a proposal for another one. Along with these, the burnt library will be rebuilt on the samea spot and steps will be taken to allow Syed to maintain it. A discussion in this regard was held with the officials of MUDA and the Department of Libraries,” Shilpa Nag said.

MUDA Commissioner Dr. D.B. Natesh said that the land, where the burnt down library stood is a CA site belonging to MUDA, which has been allotted to an organisation long time back.

He further said, the documents of the CA site will be examined and if the organisation has violated any norms, the land would be taken back and the library will be constructed on the same site.

Syed, who also spoke said that a Kannada Library should come up on the same spot. “I do not want a name. I will extend my co-operation to rebuild the library which will be helpful for Kannada readers. But it should not remain as an assurance, steps should be taken to rebuild the burnt down library. As of now, many are donating for rebuilding the library,” Syed said.

Former Mayor Ayub Khan, who also spoke, said that there was a power transformer next to the library and a sofa making shop next to it. “Maybe sparks from the transformer may have fallen on the waste dumped near the library which could have resulted in the library getting destroyed in the fire,” he added.

Pointing out that Syed was running the library since many years and no one had any problem with it, Ayub Khan said that the incident was being given many colours and many were giving various statements. “The library should be rebuilt and the issue should be solved at the earliest. Steps should be taken to maintain the law and order situation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the residents said that they would join hands to rebuild the library. They suggested that a computer training centre, digital library and a separate wing for competitive exam training be opened along with the library.

Hundreds of books were handed over to Syed Isak by Kuvempu Mobile Library on the occasion. 

Department of Libraries Deputy Director B. Manjunath. Library Committee Vice-President Yashodha and others were present.