‘The library has become lifeless without books and magazines. It has no fund to procure any good books,” says Heishnam Haridas
Mayanglambam Merina
Imphal: Libraries are meant for readers. Books from the shelves eagerly wait for the readers to connect with them. Unfortunately a 68 years and 11 months old Library in the heart of Imphal city stands neglected despite a year old memorandum served to the Chief Minister, the Minister (Art & Culture) and the Commissioner of Director (Art & Culture) highlighting its plight.
Apparently the library was doing fine until the government of Manipur took over its rein from a NGO, passing the ‘Manipur Public Library Act’ (Taking Over Management Act) 2015.
Notwithstanding the provision in the Act for a mandatory grant-in-aid for the library, 2016 was the only year it got a sum of Rs 25 lakh fund from Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation and Rs 8 lakh from Manipur Government for its maintenance.
Since then the fund crunch has come to such the fast that despite appointing a custodian and an additional custodian they have not got their remunerations for last 4 years.
Last year some of its regular readers formed an organization called “The Manipur Readers Forum” and demanded to the government for resumption of newspaper subscriptions in the library and to provide sufficient funds as grant-in-aid. Support for the library also came from the Manipur Library Association (MALA)
“I’ve been paying the newspaper bills, chowkidar remuneration, electricity charges and other office expenses from my own pocket. In spite the assurance for support, the government of the day continues to be indifferent to the deplorable condition of the library. Even newspapers subscription that was renewed after the government’s assurance remained unpaid,” said K Chaoba, the library’s custodian.
‘The library has become lifeless without books and magazines. It has no fund to procure any good books,” says Heishnam Haridas who is a PhD scholar who comes and helps the library during his free time.
Located centrally in the heart of Imphal, opposite the western gate of the historic Kangla Fort along the busy BT road, Manipur Public Library was established in 1948 and later open to the public since 21st June 1950. It is the third oldest library in Manipur. Retired government employees, students from near and far districts come to do studies in the library that open till 8p.m daily. Currently, it caters to 40 readers daily.
