Imphal Book Fair opened
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 15 2017: With a view to strengthen library movement in the State and to inculcate reading habits among the people, specially the youth, among other objectives, the 26th edition of Imphal Book Fair, 2017 began today at DM College of Commerce Ground, Imphal.

The book fair will wind up on December 24 .

Organized by State Central Library, Imphal, Department of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur in collaboration with Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation, Kolkata, the book fair is dedicated to Mahakavi Hijam Anganghal Singh, a well-known personality of Manipuri literature who passed away in the year 1943 .

Altogether 125 stalls from 62 publishing houses/firms, including from outside the State are being opened in the book fair.

Organizers informed that a few more publishing firms/houses are likely to arrive soon .

Arts and Culture Minister L Jayantakumar declared the opening of the 26th edition of Imphal Book Fair during its inaugural function held at the venue .

Speaking at the function, Jayentakumar stressed on the importance of books and library telling the most successful man is the man who has the best and the latest information .

He pointed out that even the lawyers read books regularly to update information and knowledge .

Lamenting that the people in the State lack reading habits, he said many books in various libraries are even found with their covers unwrapped even once .

Observing that knowledge is some sort of motivation to come out in the society and do good things, he asked all to acquire knowledge by reading books and apply the knowledge gained from reading books for the welfare of the society .

He further sought people's participation stating the success of organizing book fair will be determined by the number of book lovers coming to the book fair .

Noting that the Manipur Public Libraries Act, 1988 is implemented in the State, he maintained that the implementation is debatable as there is no separate Director for Library and there is no proper infrastructure and adequate manpower .

He assured that he would approach the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues to open a full-fledged directorate for library with the construction of proper infrastructure after finding an appropriate site and by doing other needful works like strengthening the manpower .

Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Minister Karam Shyam decried that a meagre section of the youth show interest in book fairs and opined that bringing out the youth and introducing them to books would be quite beneficial for the society .

Pointing out that the library movement in the State is lagging far behind the other States, the Minister said that it is high time for the Government, intellectuals and all to take initiative for fostering the movement .

He drew the attention of the Minister concerned while admitting that the Government alone cannot take responsibility to promote library movement in the State .

He then observed that organizing book fairs will not bring much changes without improving the libraries .

He urged the youth to develop reading habits and share knowledge with each other to make the society prosperous and peaceful .

The function was presided by Art and Culture Commissioner M Lakshmikumar Singh .

Many events like children spot painting competition, symposium, meeting the successful personalities and interaction programme with film stars, Shumang Leela artistes and singers are being added this year to attract more people.

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