Art, culture and youth affairs minister Vinay Bihari inaugurates the renovation work of George Orwell’s birthplace in Motihari Thursday. Picture by Ajit Kumar Verma

Motihari, Aug. 28: Minister for art, culture and youth affairs Vinay Bihari on Thursday laid the foundation stone for development of the dilapidated buildings as well as the sprawling premises where author George Orwell was born on June 25, 1903.

Art and culture department secretary Chanchal Kumar said Rs 50 lakh have been allotted for the work, at present.

“As a writer, I feel privileged to start this historical construction on Orwell’s birthplace,” Bihari said, adding: “The state government is committed to create a history before the world community by giving due recognition and honour to the writer in Champaran. Of the total sanctioned amount, nearly Rs 45 lakh would be spent towards the renovation of the old house where the writer was born. Development of a park and greenery would be done from the Rs 45-lakh booty while the rest would be spent towards external lighting. More funds for construction would be provided in the second phase.”

Indian Railways has already honoured George Orwell, whose real name was Eric Arthur Blair, in July by announcing a 24-hour food plaza in his name to be opened shortly at Bapudham Motihari railway station.

Orwell’s birthplace first came in prominence in 2000 after his two books — Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four — were figured among the five best books of the 20th century. First, a national symposium was arranged by Dr LM Singhvi and the Heritage Foundation at the India International Centre, New Delhi, also celebrated it in 2000.

Then secretary of the art and culture department Vivek Singh also visited the place on January 23, 2010, for a personal appraisal as well as the ancient thatched house where George Orwell was born on June 25, 1903.