23rd Imphal Book Fair 2014 kicks off
E-library facility to be availed in 28 govt colleges: Okendro
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 15 2014:
A ten-day long 23rd Imphal Book Fair 2014 being organized by State Central Library in collaboration with Raja Rammohan Roy Library Foundation, Kolkata began today at Thangmeiband Athletic Union (THAU) Ground, Imphal West.
Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, Education Minister M Okendro announced that there would be e-library facility in 28 government colleges, while asserting that the government is also planning to appoint required librarian in colleges at the earliest to ensure smooth functioning of library.
The Minister maintained that the government is committed to develop library which is necessary to bring quality education in the State.
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District libraries which are lying defunct for a while will also be revamped.
Efforts will be made to materialize the goal of setting up of National Book Trust of India branch in the State, he assured.
Saying that presentation of State Literature Award has been started by the government to honor fine artistes, the Minister further announced that cash prize of the award has been increased to Rs 3 lakh from 1 lakh.
Already an amount of Rs 15 lakh has been earmarked to procure books to be kept in libraries.
It is much necessary to establish habit of reading, he added.
K Rdhakumar, Secretary of Art & Culture who presided over the function exhorted the students to maintain reading of habit to increase their knowledge, while mentioning that Bengali and other languages books would have to be translated into Meitei Mayek script as matriculation examination from next year will be done in Meitei Mayek script which will not be an easy task to execute.
He stated that adequate books in Meitei Mayek script will have to be arranged as students have already started learning the script in schools.
Today's inauguration function was also attended by RK Jhaljit, former principal of LMS Law College and L Ibomcha, MLA Keishamthong Constituency as guests of honor.
A total of 43 local book firms and 14 firms from outside the State are taking part in the book fair.
To mark the occasion, a souvenir of Imphal Book Fair was released.