The Hindu : Other States / Orissa News : More libraries needed

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Monday, Feb 04, 2008
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More libraries needed

Compared to the number of population and the quantum of readership in Bhubaneswar, one will have to admit that the capital does not have adequate number of libraries.

The State library and the Utkal University Library are unable to cater to the needs of readers which are scattered throughout the length and breadth of the city. The only private library at Ramakrishna Math is catering to the needs of readers of old Bhubaneswar to a great extent.

People of this city are starving for reading good books and newspapers. In view of the necessity, the State Information and Public Relations Department should open some reading rooms or libraries at important places of the town so that people from all parts of the city may avail the opportunity of reading and disseminating information.

K.C. Mohanti

Bhubaneswar

Reading habit

Lack of reading habit among elders is a major reason behind diminishing reading habit among the children and youth. Most of the parents have started to equate reading with studies only. They do not motivate their children to read for entertainment.

Reading has become a burden on children, while watching TV has become only source of entertainment. No more children’s magazines like Chandamama reach households regularly. There was a time when parents used to scold children if they were caught reading story books hiding them between school books. But from childhood children get the impression that reading is a serious affair. The elders are also losing their skill of story telling as they do not read much. Very a few new generation may have read the Panchatantra, Ramayana or Mahabharat in original to tell stories to encourage reading habits among the youngsters.

It is high time for the elders to pick up reading habit again so that the younger generation take interest in reading books.

Sachidananda Mohapatra

Puri

Bird flu

Bird flu has again come to haunt poultry farmers. Though the Orissa government has made its border sealed by deploying police personnel and culling chicken, they are all temporary measures.

Will our scientific community not be able to evolve a formula to prevent the disease affecting chickens? It is causing crores of rupees loss to poultry farmers. These farmers should immediately be covered under insurance otherwise they will be forced to commit suicide.

Similarly, though the fear of bird flu has been gripping Orissa for several days now, the State government has not pressed the panic button cautioning people to stay away from consuming chicken.

Srikant Mishra

Bhubaneswar

Shine in one-dayers

The Twenty-20 is like a game of gambling. If five swings of bats by three batsmen click, the team wins the match, if they miss, the game would be lost.

Their real characters would come into play only in one-dayers and test matches. The Dhoni-led players should not boast of their past achievements, they should stay put on ground before making a good and humble beginning in longer version of the game.

Gagan Mohapatra

Cuttack

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