Bronze statue unveiled on school premises in Guntur.

A government school, facing an uncertain future over its existence, has got a new lease of life thanks to an act of munificence by the Tikkana Literary Association.

The school with over 350 inmates has been caught in a legal wrangle till recently with the association claiming ownership rights. Recently, the Supreme Court had given a judgment in favour of the association.

On Friday, the association showed its magnanimity by handing over the valuable site to the Department of Education for a benevolent cause. In a symbolic gesture, secretary of Tikkana Literary Association Machiraju Seethapathi Rao handed over a silver tray to the Collector marking the handing over of the property.

Member of Legislative Council K.S Lakshmana Rao, who had convinced the association to part with the property for the sake of the school, said that they had fulfilled the first desire of the association — to have a bronze statue of great poet Tikka Somayaji on the school premises. District Collector S. Suresh Kumar unveiled the statue on Friday.

One of ‘Kavitrayam’

The association had also wanted the school to be named after great Telugu poet who was born in Old Guntur and lived during 13th century. He was one of the three great verse poets (Kavitrayam) who translated Mahabharatha into Telugu. Mr. Rao has pledged Rs.5 lakh out of his MLC constituency funds to develop ‘Tikkana Vidyanilayam,’ a treasure trove of classical books in old Guntur.

The library remains the only monument preserving the legacy of Tikkana in the town.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Staff Reporter / Guntur – February 22nd, 2014