Manipur needs more libraries- MALA

IMPHAL, September 10: “Manipur needs more libraries, both private as well as public as libraries play an important role in making a better society,” asserted general secretary, MALA Dr Ch Ibohal Singh.

He was speaking at the Atulchandra Memorial Lecture-2012 in commemoration of the 115th Birth anniversary of Dr H Atulchandra Singh founder of Canchipur High School, one of the oldest schools of the state.

The function was organized by the Manipur Library Association, MALA and the Canchipur High School at the school premises.

Dr H Atulchandra Singh, an educationist had also co-founded the Manipur Club in 1927 which was later changed into the Jubabati Memorial Library in 1933.

In his welcome address, Dr Ch Ibohal continued, “Libraries play an important role in rendering quality education in the state”.

Elaborating on the life of Dr H Atulchandra Singh, he said that Atul is one of the pioneer educationists of the state. Atulchandra was not just an educationist but a champion of woman’s struggle during his lifetime, he said. He had also founded a polytechnic in Manipur for the uplift of women in those days.

A speaker Dr T Tomba Singh lamented that there is no library committee in the state, and there has been no effort from anywhere to establish one.

He continued that 5 percent of a school’s budget should be used in developing the school’s library.

Manipur University, Department of Library and Information Science, HOD, Dr Th Purnima Devi said librarians were once considered as a clerical job, however with the invasion of new technologies, the job of a librarian has managed to escape from the four walls of his library.

She further lauded Dr H Atulchandra Singh for his contribution to the state and in promotion of libraries in the state.

Criticising the current trend of sending children to private tuitions, she said, it has become a fashion statement in the state. She continued that in order to bring an end to this trend, the teachers have an important role. According to a new UGC norm, any candidate for a teacher should have a specific past experience of doing community service, she added.

She concluded her speech with an appeal to cultivate reading habits among the people of the state.

Meanwhile, a book of poems, “Napu Machu gi Kakcheng” written by LC Lalhanba was also released during the function.

In his review of the book, CI College, Bishnupur Principal (retd) and renowned critic Salam Tomba Singh said Lalhanba is a modern poet.

“He has tried to contain all the scenarios of Manipur in his book of poems and did so with success.”

The presentation of the poems in the book is well balanced. The poet has a feel of the poetic pain, he concluded.

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