Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 24: Governor Satya Pal Malik inaugurated new building of the Shri Pratap Singh Library situated at the M.A. Road, here today. Advisor to Governor Khurshid Ganai was present on the occasion.
The SPS Library which was established in the year 1898, hosts a collection of books in English, Urdu, Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Kashmiri, Hindi and Punjabi languages. It also has a collection of 74 Manuscripts in Persian, Sanskrit, Arabic and Urdu.
The newly inaugurated building has sections for senior citizens, Children, Art Gallery and various other facilities like reading room with Internet Facility, coffee shop etc. This Library has a collection of more than one lakh and fifty thousand books.
Emphasising the high importance of cultivating reading habits, Governor observed that books enhance our knowledge and help us in developing betterunderstanding of the events which shape our societies.
Governor noted that reading habit is a vital indicator of literacy level of any household or individual and added that although technology has given us new media for reading and remaining updated but it has not been able to displace books as a person’s best companion.
He observed that great personalities of the world have always given importance to reading and writing and civilizations have flourished because of their respect for knowledge preservation and sharing.
Governor advised that provision be made for mobile libraries which could reach readers at their doorstep and would be very convenient particularly for people living in far flung areas who have no libraries nearby. He suggested promoting creative writing and book review sessions for encouraging reading habits in the society.
After having a virtual tour of the Library through video presentation prepared by the JKPCC, Governor inspected the facilities provided for readers in the Library.
Umang Narula, Principal Secretary to Governor, Salim Shishgar, Commissioner Culture Department, Baseer Ahmad Khan, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Dr. Syed Abid Rashid Shah, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, S.A. Laharwal, Director General Libraries and Research, J&K, Shafi Pandit, former Chairman JKPSC were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, Governor commissioned the Raj Bhavan Conference Hall and Auditorium Complex, meant to host various function held by the Raj Bhavan, in Srinagar.
This complex has been equipped with the latest Digital Audio Visual facilities and the auditorium has seating capacity of 220 persons. This complex has been designed in sync with the historical and environmental features of the surroundings.
Advisors to the Governor BB Vyas, K Vijay Kumar, Principal Secretary to Governor Umang Narula, Principal Secretary Finance Navin K Choudhary, Principal Secretary Planning, Development & Monitoring Rohit Kansal, Commissioner Secretary PWD Khurshid Ahmad Shah, Director H&P Hashmat Ali Khan and officers of the Raj Bhavan were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, a delegation of youth selected for the posts of Relationship Executive and Banking Associates in J&K Bank, met Governor.
It is pertinent to mention that the qualified candidates had raised their concern with the Governor about not being absorbed in the posts for which they had already qualified.
During meeting the candidates shared with Governor about aspirations and issues of the J&K youth.
Governor informed them about many decisions taken by his Government for strengthening sports and entertainment infrastructure in the State which could help the youth to hone their talents. He observed that youth here needs hand holding as not many facilities are available here to explore their talents. He congratulated the candidates and advised them to work with dedication and honesty.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
