After a prolong wait, the renovation work has begun in the house of legendary British author George Orwell. He was born at Motihari in a house adjacent to an Indigo godown. The State Government had earlier declared to renovate Orwell’s birthplace to make it a tourist attraction.
“Finally, renovation of Orwell’s birthplace has started,” said East Champaran District Magistrate Abhay Kumar Singh who launched the work on Thursday. He also said that district authorities would provide all possible help to develop the crumbling, dilapidated single-storey brick house in the lake town of Motihari.
He also admitted candidly that renovation work was delayed in the last few years for some reasons but now since it has started he has instructed the officials to close all entry and exit points except the main gate of the site for the smooth renovation work to be complete in time.
Earlier a local, an Orwell enthusiast Deo Priya Mukherjee had set off a campaign to improve the birthplace and the dilapidated house of the famous British author. A group of local people led by Mukherjee even had constructed a plaque outside the house detailing facts with the life of George Orwell.
legendary writer George Orwell was born Eric Arthur Blair in 1903 in Motihari near India’s border with Nepal. His father, Richard Blair, worked as an agent of the opium department of the Indian Civil Service during British rule. A huge Opium godown still exists outside the gate of his house.
However, despite all efforts and media attention towards the pathetic condition of the Orwellian House in Motihari town pigs, goats and bovines were seen grazing outside the House. It was mainly targeted by the encroachers.
Earlier, a local English teacher was living in the House but later he vacated it after the intervention of the State Government for its renovation work. “The State Government agency has been entrusted with the task of renovating the House with an estimated cost of `45 lakh,” said Deo Priya Mukherjee who also is associated with George Orwell Commemorative Committee.
It was former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who three years ago had ordered the officials to prepare a restoration and development plan for the neglected building. He was keen to preserve Orwell’s birthplace to attract tourists.
later, the State Government issued a notification under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments (Protection) Act, 1976 and declared the building a protected site.
George Orwell was the famous author of classics like Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four.