Mangaluru :National Library Week inaugurated in DK district

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 21, 2015:  Mayor Jacintha Vijaya Alfred gave a ceremonial start to the ’National Library Week’  by flagging off the mobile library unit at Bavutagudde Central Library in Mangaluru on Nov 20.  Writer and critique Vi.Ga. Naik said that decreased reading habits in general is one aspect responsible for rising intolerance in society.

He was speaking at the inauguration of National Library Week and the launch of mobile library organised by the City Central Library here. “There were days when mothers used to read a lot and inculcate values among their children. These days many of them would be busy watching television channels and occupied with mobiles,” he regretted.

Giving his own example,  Naik said his mother used to tell stories from the Ramayana, the Bible and the Koran thereby imbibing human values in him. “You cannot see such a scenario these days,” he said.

As a result, the youth are drawn towards other matterswhich is responsible for the present day sorry state of affairs, he said.  The celebration of library week is one such occasion where the reading habits can be encouraged, he said.

He also praised City Central Library’s Deputy Director K.V. Raghavendra for revamping the library building making it a model one.  Inaugurating the celebrations, Mayor Jacintha Vijaya Alfred said many libraries in the city were housed in dilapidated buildings with poor facilities to readers and the staff. There is a need to create a separate corpus for libraries instead of them depending on the City Corporation.