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Minister incharge of Art and culture Paul Lyngdoh on Wednesday said the state Government plans to revive Kali Kit Kot project- the mobile library.
Talking to Meghalaya News 24, Lyngdoh said, the state Government has already put words to National Book Trust – India for supporting the initiative.
“Earlier the department of Art and culture had a programme called Kali Kit Kot – we would like to revive that project. We have also spoken to National Book Trust about supporting mobile library throughout Meghalaya and we will collaborate on that,” the Minister said.
The Mobile Library will move from school to school with its collection of various books such as children encyclopaedia, short stories, educational books, vocational training books and children’s foundational books with a view to inspire reading among young children.
Amidst the dwindling habit of Book reading and in its effort to rekindle the love for books amongst the people especially the youths the National Book Trust – India, Ministry of Education, Government of India in collaboration with the Department of Arts & Culture and Education Department, Government of Meghalaya today organised a book fair in the city today
Paul Lyngdoh, Arts & Culture Minister, in the presence of Education Minister, Rakkam A Sangma today inaugurated the Shillong Book Fair 2023 at U Soso Tham Auditorium, State Central Library, Shillong. The Shillong Book Fair 2023.
Lyngdoh thanked the National Book Trust – India for bringing back the book fair to Shillong after a hiatus of 7 years and hoped that the people of the state rekindle their love and passion for books in its physical form.
He urged the students to develop a habit of reading books rather than relying on contents available through technology as there is an emotional attachment to reading in its actual form.
He also stressed on the need for the National Book Trust to engage further in the state through mobile libraries, interaction platforms between the writers such as authors, poets, storytellers and readers on a regular basis as it will benefit the people and the students in particular.
Meanwhile Education minister also echoed similar views as Lyngdoh and encouraged students and people alike to come and attend the book fair.
“It’s an unique initiative for book-lovers, I would appeal to all the head of institutions and the students to send their children to visit the stalls as the practice of reading books cannot be replaced.
“Decline in the habit of reading books looks very dangerous for the generation to come. I would appeal to the younger generation to restart practicing reading books,” he said.
E books cannot substitute the charm of reading books, the Minister said.
Sangma added that this was an opportunity for especially the students to get access to and buy some books which would they normally not get in the city.
Both the ministers said that they expect the book fair to be conducted in other district headquarters in the coming days.
The book fair is being held at the premises of the State Central Library and will continue till the 3rd of October, 2023.
Also present at the inaugural function included F R Kharkongor, Commissioner & Secretary, Arts & Culture; H M Shangpliang, Adviser, Education; Prof P S Shukla, Vice Chancellor, North – Eastern Hill University among others