R K Narayan's family for fitting memorial?

If urban development minister S Suresh Kumar’s assertion is any indication, the legal heirs of writer R K Narayan are in sync with the government’s plan to convert the house in which the latter lived into a memorial.

The minister on Sunday inspected the sprawling bungalow, albeit dismantled in few portions, standing tall on Vivekananda road in Yadavagiri in the city.

Speaking to media, the minister disclosed that RKN’s granddaughter was expected to meet him in a week. She had contacted him over phone soon after the development.

They also have some plans to make the place a fitting tribute in  the memory of the writer.

According to them (Narayan’s family members), Harvard has the rights of original works of the writer.

Following the issue that had almost created controversy for the local body giving a nod to its demolition, the minister said he would instruct the deputy commissioners of all district to direct tahsildars to prepare a list of such properties, where the personalities who brought fame to the state lived once.

He reiterated that the house has been declared as heritage under Town Planning Act.

Pride of state

Earlier, the minister described brothers duo R K Narayan and R K Lakshman as the pride of Karnataka.

“I was taken aback after learning about the demolition of the house here. Efforts should be made to conserve such buildings”, the minister said.

He also referred to the recent demand for according similar honour to the houses that once accommodated Sir M Visvevsaraya in Mysore and also D V Gundappa popular as DVG.

The minister also sought to know from the zonal assistant commissioner Thimmappa who gave permission to demolish the structure.

The officer said he wasn’t aware of its significance initially, and learnt about its importance only through the media.

Two separate notices have been pasted in the front portion of the building informing that the permission granted to demolish the structure has been withdrawn and it has been announced as heritage property.