Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Jan 26: The Mallikatte Public Library and the park that were in a dilapidated condition two years ago were crying for attention. The public library, located at Mallikatte, has a huge collection of books and a large number of visitors. Unfortunately the surroundings of the library were unpleasant as the park attached to it was underdeveloped for a long time and so was the condition of the library building.
The compound which housed the library looked unpleasant as readers who visited it felt uncomfortable due to the unhygienic conditions prevailing in the surrounding park where destitute created nuisance. The park was littered with alcohol bottles, tetra packs and other wastes. There was a long pending public demand and among the library visitors to develop a library-cum-park to bring in a whiff of fresh air to all the walkers and visitors.
The library-cum-park after the makeover
The earlier status of the library-cum-park
Whenever readers visited the library they expected the surroundings to be clean and tidy so that they repeatedly enjoyed spending their time in the place. It has taken two years for the library-cum-park to take shape as the place has been given a complete facelift under a project taken up by the MUDA for which financial grants worth Rs 70 lac were provided under the ambit of the 14th and 15th finance commission grants.
The library-cum-park is completely transformed with well laid grass, a walking track, seating arrangements and a children’s play area while the library building has got a fresh coat of paint giving it a different look compared to what it was and how it looked two years back.
The park has also paid tribute to renowned saxophonist late Kadri Gopalnath with a memorial built for him that includes a live saxophone. Even the lighting arrangement in the park has got a facelift turning it into a centre of attraction during the nights. Mallikatte library-cum-park which was once in a dilapidated condition, today is inviting people to visit the place.
Corporator Manohar Shetty said, “Today, Mallikatte library-cum-park has seen complete development which attracts more number of readers to the library and a pleasant atmosphere. We have sent a proposal to the corporation council to convert this park into a memorial in honour of saxophonist late Kadri Gopalnath. We hope to get an approval soon. In the coming days, an acupuncture track will also be laid for the health-conscious walkers. This transformation and makeover of the Mallikatte park and library was made possible with the support of corporator Kavya Nataraj, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and MLA Vedavyas Kamath and we could develop the Mallikatte park and library.
One of the readers says, “Earlier, we used to feel uncomfortable seeing the condition of the library and the park which saw a lot of destitute consuming alcohol. But, following the efforts and the intervention of the authorities the entire look of Mallikatte library building and park has been changed. It now gives us a pleasant feeling and the library will attract more visitors.”