Festive ambience prevails as Syed Issac’s rebuilt library opens on Republic Day

Shilpa P | NT

Mysuru: It was a festive occasion at Syed Issac’s Public Library at Rajiv Nagar second stage which reopened with 2,150 Kannada books on its shelves after a devastating fire destroyed it in April last year. Children from the Kannada medium school of People’s Park inaugurated the Kannada library on the occasion of Republic Day, and sang Kuvempu’s ‘Naada Geethe’ on the occasion.

The JSS math seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamy ji who has donated Rs 10,000 and over 250 books to the library, came all the way to the narrow lane for the inauguration of the small library built at a cost of Rs 4 lakh. He lauded Syed Issac’s selfless service to enrich people with knowledge and said, “In an era where people are switching over to the digital mode of reading, it is important to note that reading a book is more effective. Syed has paved the way for people to read books.”

On the occasion, Syed Issac thanked all those who supported him to rebuild the library, and said, “98 percent of the people in this area do not speak Kannada and I have started this library for people to learn and read Kannada, which is the language of the land. People should grow beyond caste and religion, and love all. In the 11 wards including Udaygiri, Rajivnagar, Bharathnagar, Nehrunagar, Kalyangiri, Kyathmaranahalli, and Ghausia Nagar, there is not a single public library. Several people are using this library. So the government must help to build a proper building and upgrade the library,” he said.

Former deputy mayor and corporator Mr Ayub Khan was present on the occasion.
Mysuru-Kodagu MP Mr Pratap Simha who has given Rs 50,000 for the library, lauded Syed as a Kannada lover, a patriot and promised to work to bring his dream true by establishing a proper library.