Karnataka minister Sunil Kumar gets 1,000+ books after his no-bouquet appeal

MANGALURU: Karkala MLA V Sunil Kumar has amassed over 1,000 books within five days of being inducted into chief minister Basavaraj Bommai cabinet.
Kumar, who is the minister for energy, Kannada & Culture, has set an example by requesting his fans to bring books instead of bouquets and garlands.
Soon after becoming the minister in chief minister Basavaraj Bommai cabinet, Kumar had posted on social media requesting party workers and fans not to hold felicitation programmes.
His request to honour him with books has received wide appreciation from his fans and followers. The minister has received nearly 1,000 books within five days. He told TOI that the books will be donated to the public library in Karkala.
“Soon after becoming the minister, I requested people of my constituency to not bring garlands and bouquets. I told everyone that if you are so keen on offering me anything as a token of pride, give me a Kannada book. I will donate all the books I have received to our public library in Karkala,” Kumar said.
The minister also had asked his party workers and well-wishers not to violate Covid-19 guidelines during his visit to the constituency.
“I have personally appealed to all people in the constituency not to cause the spread of Covid-19 by violating guidelines during my visit,” the minister said.
The minister has a well-stocked bookshelf at his house ‘Vikasa’ with tomes on religion, nationality, Indian history and national leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The majority of the party workers and well-wishers, who reached to congratulate the minister, have been bringing books wrapped in gift papers.
It may be recalled here that the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) had issued a directive to all states in 2017 to stop using bouquets during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tours within India.