The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Call to revamp library network in the State

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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Call to revamp library network in the State

Special Correspondent

Thiruvananthapuram: Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac has stressed the need to revamp the library network in the State.

Addressing a meeting organised in connection with the conclusion of the Reading Week programme here on Thursday, he said a fully- literate State like Kerala had the need for well-equipped libraries. “But most of the libraries are in a poor condition. There has been little effort to update them and replenish the stock of books,” he said.

The Minister said the challenge from television and Internet would not impact on reading. “The main advantage of reading is its flexibility. One can always choose what, where and when to read. The value of reading will only increase in the years to come.”

Dr. Isaac said books and reading were essential to the development of knowledge, especially in science and technology.

Minister for Housing and Forests Benoy Viswom, who was the chief guest at the function, said books and reading would endure as long as man continued his quest for knowledge.

The Ministers later distributed prizes to Surya Gayathri, Anjana Mahesh and G. Prathibha who won the painting competition for schoolchildren organised in connection with the Reading Week celebrations.

Pannian Ravindran, MP, presided over the meeting. BJP leader and former Union Minister O. Rajagopal, Principal Secretary, Industries, T. Balakrishnan and Congress leader Thalekkunnil Basheer were present.

Speakers recalled the contributions of P.N. Panicker, founder of the library movement in Kerala. It was organised by the Departments of Education, Information and Public Relations with the P.N. Panicker Foundation.

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