The residence of the late poet, freedom fighter, and social reformer T. Subramanian Thirumumbu is all set to acquire a new look as the building will now house the Centre for Studies on Farming Culture. The Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) of the Kerala Agricultural University at Pilicode near Cheruvathur in the district has initiated renovation of the building, which is more than a century old. The District Collector has sanctioned Rs.25 lakh under the Kasaragod Development Package for the project. A proposal to sanction Rs.2.50 crore had been submitted in 2012, RARS Associate Director K. Abdul Kareem told The Hindu .
The two-storey tile-roof building, known as Ravipuram residence, was acquired by the Kerala Agricultural University in 1980 while upgrading the erstwhile Coconut Research Station as the RARS. The renovation would be executed by the engineering wing headed by the Director of Physical Plant of Kerala Agricultural University, he said. The civil works include replacing the roof tiles, floor tiling, laying inter-locking tiles in the open yard, erecting a gate and construction of compound wall at the rear side and around the vehicle parking area, renovating the wooden joinery, plastering, and painting.
Display of antique farm implements and vintage equipment, inventions by farmers, farm-based literature, and an exhibition of the belongings of Thirumumbu are envisaged in the proposed centre. The centre will be named after the poet, whom Communist leader E.M.S. Namboodiripad had called ‘padunna padaval’ for inspiring the masses with his progressive ideals.
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“It is expected that the balance of Rs.2.25 crore due for the project as per the Kasaragod Package will be released soon,” Dr. Kareem said.