President of India Inaugurates ‘Festival of Libraries’

Festival of Libraries

On August 5, 2023, the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, inaugurated the ‘Festival of Libraries’ in New Delhi. The Ministry of Culture is hosting this festival with the goal of fostering the growth and digitization of libraries and nurturing a reading culture.

During her address at the event, the President emphasized the significant connection between the growth of libraries and the advancement of society and culture. She highlighted that the development of libraries has historically been linked to the progress of civilizations. The President noted instances from history where invaders saw fit to destroy libraries, underscoring that libraries symbolize a nation’s or society’s shared knowledge and intellect. While such events are rare in modern times, she acknowledged instances of valuable manuscripts and books disappearing. The President expressed optimism in endeavors to recover and restore rare books and manuscripts.

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• The President highlighted the role of libraries as a bridge between different civilizations. Throughout history, people from various nations carried Indian books, translated them, and gained knowledge, emphasizing the idea that books and libraries are a shared heritage of humanity.
• She underscored the profound impact a small book can have on world history, citing Gandhi’s autobiography as an example where John Ruskin’s book ‘Unto This Last’ influenced him greatly. The President emphasized that books encapsulate the essence of a region and the vastness of the world.
• Efforts towards conserving manuscripts, modernizing, and digitizing libraries were emphasized as crucial by the President.
• With the integration of information technology, the nature of libraries is evolving, making accessibility more convenient.
• She mentioned the development of the National Virtual Library of India, aligning with the goal of ‘One Nation, One Digital Library.’ The President expressed confidence that the National Mission on Libraries will strengthen the culture of connecting with libraries and reading books.

The President envisioned libraries as hubs for social interaction, study, and reflection, praising the Ministry of Culture for advancing the national campaign for library development.

About the Event

• During the event, notable highlights included the Virtual Groundbreaking Ceremony of RRRL Modernization, highlighting efforts to upgrade the infrastructure of Rampur Raza Library.
• The release of the Rampur Raza Mystery added an exciting literary dimension.
• A significant collaboration was formed through the Tripartite MoU for the Golden Triangle for Libraries, uniting Rampur, Patna, and Tonk in their pursuit of knowledge exchange and cooperation.
• The day also featured the ‘Curtain Raiser and E-Inauguration of the Museum of the Word,’ an interactive platform exploring the history and evolution of written knowledge.
• To recognize outstanding libraries across the country, the National Library Ranking Format was introduced.

The launch of the Directory of Libraries (Volume I) aims to encourage readership and visits to various libraries. Additionally, the Biblio-on-Demand service was introduced, offering quick access to desired books.

About the Festival of Libraries

The ‘Festival of Libraries 2023’ represents a significant step toward India’s aspiration of becoming a global knowledge powerhouse in the 21st century.

• This festival plays a crucial role in this endeavor by promoting inclusivity and ensuring that all citizens have access to information.
• By celebrating the diversity of knowledge and encouraging reading habits, the festival contributes to creating a more informed and empowered society. It nurtures a passion for learning, inspiring progress across the nation.
• The festival aims to initiate discussions about modernizing and digitizing libraries, sparking a revival of the reading culture in India.
• By advocating for action-oriented policies, the festival seeks to establish model libraries, even at the grassroots village and community levels.
• This ensures that knowledge reaches every corner of the country.

The ‘Festival of Libraries 2023’ is a remarkable initiative that underscores the pivotal role of libraries as bastions of knowledge and enlightenment. By promoting a reading culture and enhancing library infrastructure, India takes a significant stride towards becoming a global leader in the realm of knowledge and wisdom.