Odias in North America sent memorandum to CM for timely establishment of well-integrated modern public library system in Odisha
The Odisha Society of the Americas (OSA), a forum of non-resident
Odias, has urged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to set up a
well-integrated modern public library system in the State by
implementing the Odisha Public Library Act, 2001.
The OSA has
offered to assist the government by linking up with domain experts and
extend other support for creating a public library ecosystem in the
State. OSA has been pursuing with Govt of Odisha administration for a
“Well-Integrated Modern Public Library System” in Odisha. It may be
noted OSA had proposed and funded to establish Internet Enabled model
public libraries in Berhampur; Baghada GP, Suliapada, Mayurbhanja;
Kulida GP, Basta, Balasore through GA department, Govt of Odisha.
“Public library is the most democratic public institution
that will promote literacy, including early childhood literacy, digital
literacy, skill development, employment, entrepreneurship and social
inclusion,” said OSA president Lalatendu Mohanty.
Expressing
happiness over the State government’s announcement to set up a panchayat
library-cum-infotainment centre in each gram panchayat to cater to the
needs of people of the rural areas, the OSA said it would help create a
knowledge-based society.
“To
start with, Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendras should be used for rural
libraries. In urban areas, municipalities can provide existing or new
infrastructure from the city budget. The pre-existing private libraries
with excellent track record should be adopted based on their interest.
All school libraries need to be converted into digital libraries at the
panchayat level with custodians and librarians in place for better
management of the library system,” the forum recommended.
The OSA applauded the cabinet approval of “Odisha Public Library Rules
by culture department” ( The Odisha Gazette dated 7th Sept 2016 ) and
last year’s Panchayat Raj department circular ( No. 17
NREG-11-1165-18657/PR&DW Date: 28-09-2018 ) to BDOs for building
edutainment centers-cum-libraries, but expressed concerns for the long
historical delay in implementation of “Odisha Public Library Act-2001”
that has been pending for many years that’s adversely affecting public
interest and growth of the state towards a knowledge-based society.
It is being said that the public library system will not only create
the ecosystem to transform Odisha towards a “Knowledge based society”,
but also develop an “Internet based economy” to meet the growing demands
of the 21st century, and make Odisha truly the leading state with
higher “Human Development Index(HDI) – a measure of life expectancy,
education, and per capita income indicator used to rank states and
countries”.
A detailed proposal and recommendations compiled by OSA Public
Library Committee and advisors/panelists were sent with regards to
establish and transform the public libraries to function as Community
Centers, Edutainment Centers, Knowledge Centers, Skill Development
Centers, Information Centers leveraging Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) and best practices around the world.
The Odisha Society of Americas (OSA) is the largest Non-Resident
Odia(NRO) organization in the world recently celebrated golden jubilee
in Atlantic City, New Jersey with the presence of around 2000 Odias. A
seminar was organized on “Establishing Well-Integrated Modern Public
Library System in Odisha” during this convention with presence of key
dignitaries like Dr Keshab Panda, Chief Executive Officer and Managing
Director of L&T Technology Services, eminent educationist Prof. Dr
Damodar Acharya, prof. Dr Lalu Mansingh, Prof. Dr Chitta Baral, Dr
Ashutosh Dutta, Dr Basant Parida, Dr Annapurna Pandey, Dr Sukant
Mohapatra, Prof. Dr Durga Mishra( chair seminars ), columnist Mrs
Suvasri Das, Mrs Nalini Pattnaik, Sri Bishwajit Naik, entrepreneur
(founder Shikhya), entrepreneur/ philanthropist Dr Sitikantha Das, Dr
Ajay Mohanty(co-chair OPLI ), Nishikanta Sahoo( Chair, OPLI), OSA
president Sri Lalatendu Mohanty, OSA president elect Mrs Kuku Das, OSA
vice-president elect Dr Anil Patnaik. Sri Prasana Dash, founder/advisor
Praful library had a video presentation on this seminar. The Berhampur
public e-library management team led by Dr BNR Subudhi shared the
feedback from the users of the e-library.
Source- The Hindu, Orissa Diary
Ref 1.- https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/non-resident-odias-push-for-modern-public-library-system/article28628760.ece
Ref. 2- https://orissadiary.com/odias-north-america-sent-memorandum-cm-timely-establishment-well-integrated-modern-public-library-system-odisha/
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