Library inaugurated in ancestral village of 17th century poet

Times News Network

Kanpur: Tikwanpur, the ancestral village of Mahakavi Bhushan, is now set to emerge as a symbol of the shared cultural heritage of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. In a major initiative to preserve the poet’s literary contribution and inspire younger generations, a large library dedicated to literature associated with Mahakavi Bhushan was inaugurated on Wednesday by district magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh.

Mahakavi Bhushan, renowned for his poetry centered on heroism, bravery and valour, continues to occupy a distinguished place in Hindi literature centuries after his birth. Though he spent a major part of his life in the court of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji in Maharashtra, his native village Tikwanpur in Ghatampur tehsil of Kanpur Nagar district still preserves his legacy.

Apart from books related to competitive examinations, the library will house rare literary works written by Mahakavi Bhushan nearly 413 years ago, including the famous Shiva Bawani. The facility is also expected to serve as a centre for educational and social welfare activities. Children will receive education through an Anganwadi centre functioning there, while a proposal has also been made to establish a women’s medical centre in the near future.

Praising the contribution of Ravindra Mishra, who donated his ancestral house to the district administration for public use, the district magistrate said people should take inspiration from such acts of social service. “The great poet, born on this very soil in 1613, is remembered today because of his literary works. Similarly, those who contribute to society will also be remembered in future,” he remarked.

During his visit, the district magistrate inspected the dilapidated primary school building located within the ancestral premises of Mahakavi Bhushan.

He directed the Tehsildar to undertake immediate repair and renovation work. Expressing displeasure over the misuse of rooms for storing fodder and sheltering livestock, he ordered the removal of all encroachments from the ancestral property.

Later, the DM paid floral tributes to the statue of Mahakavi Bhushan. Ravindra Mishra ‘Vipin’, who donated the building for the proposed women’s hospital and maternity centre, pointed out that the site remains difficult to access for outsiders due to its remote location. He urged improvement in infrastructure and facilities around the memorial site, to which the district magistrate assured necessary action.