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Library movement and development in Manipur

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By : Ch. Ibohal Singh, Ph.D.
1. Background
The birth of library presupposes the existence of written records or of literature whether it is preserved on bark, clay tablet, papyrus, parchment or paper, etc. It is agreed that libraries grew and developed in civilized society when man began to make and keep written records. In the preliterate society, men were dependent on live memory and spoken words and gradually on letters, thereafter began to communicate with each other by means of pictures carved on stones and rocks. These carvings or inscriptions were found in three forms: a) Pictographic: that represents an object; b) Ideographic:  that describes the idea suggested by the object; and c) Phonographic: that represents sound of object or idea.  Historians have agreed that all our systems of writing came from these crude inscriptions and picture writings. The Sumerians were believed to be the first people to develop a widely usable writing system. Samuel, N. Kremer in his work, History begins at Sumer(1965) observed that before the end of the third millennium B.C., the Sumerian men of letters actually wrote down – on clay tablets, prisms, and cylinders. This phonetic system of writing served them as an effective instrument for recording their social, political, and philosophical thinking for maintaining accounts and for preserving their sacred legends, prayers, rituals, etc. By 2700 B.C. the Sumerians had established private and government libraries for preserving their varied writings for use. The very concept of libraries had been in existence since time immemorial with the very beginning of human civilization. The earliest libraries in a real sense, according to Collier’s Encyclopaedia , were the collections of writings maintained for use of the living found in very early civilizations. Interesting and important examples were in existence in Egypt, Mesopotamia, Palestine, etc.   With the passage of time, due to technological changes the concept, nature, mode of organization and management, the nature of delivery of services, etc . have also been changed, because change is the order of the day. The library systems across the world have been playing a crucial role exercising their social, moral and educational responsibility in the process of transformation in all the spheres of this world. This has been possible due to continuous movement and development took place since last many centuries. Library scientists, for the sake of convenience in the study of library and information systems, have put the types of libraries into three major groups:
a) Academic Library: associated with academic institutions;
b) Special Library: attached with various organizations/institutions of specialized nature; and
c) Public Library: established for the public irrespective of their caste, creed, sex, age, status, religion, community, etc to serve their information needs.
All types of libraries are treated as social organization / institution to serve the complex information needs of the user community, which is their ultimate goal. However, different types of libraries have different objectives, the common of which being to fulfill the objectives of their parent bodies/organizations.  
All the countries of the world have their own history of movement and development of library system. When we talk about library movement, it is mainly concerned with the public library. Because the concept of library movement is associated with the people’s movement for the cause of the public (masses) as a whole.  Academic and special types of libraries are established by their parent bodies which would take the responsibility of the overall affairs of the same. It is not so in case of the public library. In fact, library is a state subject, as such; the concerned state governments have to take the sole responsibility for the establishment and management of this type of library. But it is a fact that the public library system, due to a number of factors and reasons, had been established and developed with people’s support and movement. There is, of course, on the other hand, people’s movement for the promotion of other dimensions and aspects through the support of the public library. For instance, there are efforts made by general public towards promotion of education, culture, democracy, etc. through public library service, etc. The scenario is global. Such aspects are also considered important in the study of library movement of a particular region.
In Indian context, as observed by Kaula (2007), public library movement has been the project of our national awakening like the Swadeshi Movement. It was also the product of our cultural renaissance and the revival of our love for our culture and heritage. Library movement in the country took shape in 1907 when the ruler of the then Baroda State laid foundation for free compulsory elementary education backed by libraries. For the first time in India, free public library services were introduced as a system in 1907.Then Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad of Baroda is considered to be the pioneer in the field of library movement in the country. He took keen interest in the movement as he foresaw the need for public library and its role in the education of the masses which would lead to all round development of the society. The Swadeshi Movement forging the greatness of Indian culture and heritage, led by Bipin Chandra Pal and Lala Rajpat Rai, invigorated the movement so greatly that it grew beyond all expectations. It was the time when the nationalist spirit was surging forth with over-spill of enthusiasm, when Dr. Annie Basant’s Home Rule Movement met with repression by foreign British Government, that the Indian Library Movement was conceived. The movement took concrete shape in 1919 and set itself on the path of enlightening the people throughout the length and breadth of the country. In India National Library Week is celebrated every year during 14-20 November. The 14th November is a remarkable day in the history of Indian Library Movement. That was on this day of 1919 the first all India public library conference was inaugurated at Gokhale Hall in Chennai, then Madras, which was presided over by I.S. Khudelkar, the then Director of Libraries, Baroda. It was a milestone, in fact, in the history of library movement of the country. As a  token of significance of the event, the Indian Library Association (ILA) announced to observe NLW during a week starting from 14th November 1968 onwards for which a circular was issued by J.C. Mehta, the then Acting Secretary of the Association.
 Erstwhile sovereign kingdom, Manipur, a tiny state of independent India, having her long history of more than two millennia, has also a unique historical background of movement and development of library, as far as the public library system is concerned. The involvement of the philanthropists, social reformers, social workers, library lovers, intellectuals, educationists, etc. as done in the rest of the world, is found towards library movement in this very part of the country. On the other hand, government also takes into account public library service as an important matter in the state. Also there are different agencies, both government and private, working for the cause of the library movement and development in the state. With this background, the present study has been taken up with an attempt to understand the movement and development of library in Manipur. Pioneering tasks of social reformers, philanthropists, social workers, educationists, associations like Manipur Library Associations (MALA), promotional influence of the Department of Library and Information Science, Manipur University,  efforts of the state government, contributions of RRRLF, role of the voluntary organizations, efforts of READ India, and in the later part the emergence of Community Library with the initiative of NSS Cell, Manipur University, legislative support for the library development, etc. are being taken into consideration in this attempt.
2. A Brief Account of the Origin and Development of Library in Manipur
The origin of library and its development in Manipur is associated with the origin of literature. In order to trace the origin of library in the state we need also to look back to the origin of literature and literary aspects since literature constitutes the shadow of culture, socio-economic condition, tradition, etc. of the Manipuri society. Again, moreover, library is the only agent procuring, processing, preserving and disseminating the literature of the past. Giridhari Singh (2011) observed that there are exemplary evidences that the  people of Manipur started writing from the 3rd century A.D.  Manipuri kings were patrons of learning. They developed Pandit Loisang (Council of Learning) for writing and production of books and other literature and maintained library. Writing of Cheitharol Kumbaba( Royal chronicle) started with the Pakhangba’s accession to the throne in 33A.D.Maintenance of the chronicle by the Pandit loisang is believed to be started  from the 5th Century, A.D., an ample evidence of developing library. King Khagemba maintained the palace library properly from 1597 and the books and other manuscripts (puyas) preserved during his reign are still having high position in Manipuri Literature today. The royal library suffered a setback during the reign of King Pamheiba following Puya Meithaba (burning of puya) in 1729.The Kings of Manipur continued to maintain royal library for a long time even though there were setbacks in between because of many reasons.
The library movement in Manipur, as per records and evidences so far received, is believed to be started by Dr. H. Atulchndra Singh by establishing Manipur Club in 1927 with the provision of library facilities. Establishment of schools like Johnstone School (1885) marked the beginning of library in academic institution (school) in the state. Library established in D.M. College (1946) and  JNU Centre  for Post Graduate Studies(1972) are the landmarks in the history of library development for higher education system at college and university level in the state. Public Library, in real sense, came up in the state, as the effort of the Government by the establishing the present State Central Library as the District Library in 1958. The participation by the state government in the varied schemes of the RRRLF since 1981-82 has given an opportunity to develop and promote the public library system in the state. Opening of the Department of Library and Information Science by Manipur University in 1986 has also influenced a lot towards the promotion and development of library in the state. With the establishment of MALA in 1987, the library movement in this part of the country, in fact, took a concrete shape. The participation of the voluntary organizations of the state in the development and movement of the library is also of great significance. The READ (Rural Education And Development) India also has reached this northeastern corner of the country in the development of rural library and community resource centres since 2009. The NSS Cell, Manipur University has also launched a project to establish NSS Community Library in the rural areas. 
3. Some Past Studies
Studies on library movement and development are found to occupy a major place in the area of research in Library and Information Science. There is a large size of literature focusing on various issues related to movement and development of library systems across the world. India is also not an exception to this. Such studies in respect of Manipur are found to be carried out since late eighties. Opening of the Department of Library and Information Science in Manipur University in 1986 and emergence of the Manipur Library Association (MALA) in 1987 have given ample scope for studying on various aspects of the movement and development of libraries in the state. Giridhari Singh (2014), Khomdon Singh (1991, 1997, 2014), Chaoba (1996),Sabita Devi(2014), Sanajaoba Singh(2014) have undertaken different studies on public library movement and development and the need for legislative support for the same. Ibohal Singh & Madhuri Devi (2008) in a study discussed about the public library services in knowledge for all programmes taking into account the eighty years experience in Manipur which also analysed the public library movement and development in the state. A sizeable number of studies are also found to be carried out by some scholars covering aspects of library movement of the state since recent past.
 4. Objectives and Scope of the Study
The basic objectives of the present study are:
i) To highlight the beginning of library with the birth of human civilization;
ii) To assess briefly the scenario of the movement in India;
iii) To trace the historical account of the library development and movement in Manipur;
iv) To understand the agencies contributing towards the movement and development of the library;and
v) To outline a yardstick for the enhancement of the movement in the state.
 The general scope of the study, on the other hand , has been limited to the public library movement and its development that have taken place since last about 90 years in the state.
5. Historical Perspective on Library Movement and Development
With the entry into the second half decade of the 21st Century, Manipur, a tiny border state of India has also stepped into the almost 90 (ninety) years of its library movement and development. Many ups and downs mobility in this very important aspect of human society have been witnessed during the period. During the last 90 years there have been many contributory efforts from different angles for the cause of the movement.  In fact, as done in other parts of the world, the public library movement in this small state also started as a result of the people’s movement, the efforts of the Government was made in the later stage. The public library movement was started in the state from the side of individuals, voluntary organizations, philanthropists, etc. The initiative of the Government in this regards came a bit late. The following sections of the paper are a narration of the story, highlighting the experience of the last about 90 years in the state, in this regard.
The very idea of the library movement in this part of the country was conceived in the year 1927 with the establishment of Manipur Club, mainly to provide public library services by Dr. H. Atulchandra Singh, a Philanthropist, a great social reformer, indeed a multifaceted person of the 20th Century.  While Manipuris, not only in the state, but also those in different parts of the world particularly in South East Asian Region are celebrating September as the Jananeta Irawat Month we are also observing the 10th September every year , the birth day of Atulchandra  as Manipur Library Day. The great philanthropist was born on the 10th September, 1897 at Kakwa Nameirakpam Leikai , an outskirt of about 5 Km from Imphal along the Indo-Myanmar Road ( NH-39). As a social reformer characterized by multifaceted nature Atulchandra contributed a lot for  the welfare of the people of the state. His pioneering efforts since mid 1920s are too many to mention. He launched free Homeopathic Treatment, established a number of Schools including Politechnics, Vocational Training Centres, popularized Hindi and Sanskrit Education, Games and Sports, took initiatives in Theatre and Cooperative movement, etc. in the soil of the land. He was a real pioneer of the public library movement of the state.
The need and importance of library and its role to play in the society was conceived in the mind of Atulchandra since long time while he was studying at Driburgargh and Benarus.He was also very much inspired by the nature of Library Movement launched in Bengal in 1925 by the Bengal Library Association headed by Vishwakavi Rabindranath Tagore as the President of the said Association. He was even communicated with Rabindranath Tagore through letters on some aspects related to social work, art and culture, development of libraries and schools, etc.The dream of Atulchandra became true with the birth of Manipur Club on April 7, 1927.As its founder, he established the club at Kakwa Nameirakpam Leikai, Imphal to provide library services in a formalized manner mostly to the students and youths of the locality and its adjoining areas. The said Club was equipped with books and other important documents developed through donation from the public. The books were mostly found written in Bengali, Sanskrit, Hindi, English and Manipuri. There was even provision for borrowing the books by the public for home use. Eventhough, the name was Manipur Club, it was almost characterized with certain features of being a public library. More interestingly, the said Club was renamed as Manipur Club Library on the 1st January, 1931 by adding the term “Library”. Shri Konsam Gulab Singh from Thoubal Melaground, Thoubal was the Librarian-cum-keeper of the Library. After the death of Atulchandra’s mother Chonu  (Juvabati) in 1932, the name of the library has again been changed to Juvabati Memorial Library on April 19, 1933.With an august gathering the building of the library having three rooms was dedicated to the public to provide free public library service .The library hosted a number of programmes at that time.
The first Manipuri Chief Minister of Manipur Shri M.K. Priyobrata Singh and first Librarian (the post has been designated as Chief Librarian later on) of the State Central Library, Imphal Shri Mayengbam Anandamohon Singh , a renowned  educationist and writer of Manipur, Shri R.K. Shitaljit Singh, Army Officers from outside Manipur  and many others enthusiastically donated  invaluable books to the Library. The library also developed literature on 2nd World War, Newspapers, Radio, etc and the same were made available to the public. Even tale–tale was introduced in the library.  Shri Atulchandra himself read out newspapers and made the public listened to it. The Library, however, got many setbacks through different phases due to many factors. Today the overall management and functioning of the same is under the control of the Manipur Foundation, Imphal. The Organization uses to observe the 10th September, birth day of Atulchandra as Manipur Library Day since recent past.
6. Pioneering Efforts but a Missing Link
After the establishment of the Manipur Club by Atulchandra in 1927, some commendable pioneering efforts from individuals and general public towards public library movement of the state were also made during 1930-1950. These include the establishment of Imphal Reading Club (1930) at Moirangkhom,   Imphal, Library established by Shri M.K. Priyobratta Singh ( First Manipuri Chief Minister of Manipur) at Sagolband near Khaplangba Mandir since 1933, Chitrangada Library (1934) at Imphal, Imphal Public Library (1934) near Uripok Chakrikom, Imphal, Manipur Public Library (1950) at Bir Tikendrajit Road, Imphal. However, almost all these libraries became extinct due to many reasons. This is, in fact, a missing link in the history of the library movement of Manipur.
11. Legislative Support in Library Movement
The public library movement received impetus by enactment of library legislation in different states of India. Such acts aim at ensuring perennial funding support for public libraries, defining stricture of public library system in the state, powers and functions of library authorities and such other matters relating  to the public libraries. As the library movement has speedily been progressed the need to have a sound legislation has also been felt for an effective public library system through movement in Manipur. Shri Y. Erabot Singh, then Education Minister of the State took initiative on behalf of MALA concerning moving of a Private Member’s Resolution on the Manipur Public Libraries Bill, 1988 [2]on the 26th July, 1988 on the floor of the House. As a member of the Business Advisory Committee of the then Assembly Dr. M.Nara Singh, MLA also tried his level best to put up the Bill in the agenda list of the House for discussion. The Bill was passed on the 1st August, 1988 by the Assembly as Manipur Bill No.14 of 1988. There were many controversies over the Bill when the same was sent to the President of India for necessary approval which was duly corrected. With due efforts of MALA, the Bill was given Assent by the then President of India, Dr. Sankar Dayal Sharma on the 9th June, 1993.  The Manipur Gazette published it on the 17th June, 1993 as The Manipur Public Libraries Act, 1988 (Manipur Act No.7 of 1993). The Association also organized a Seminar on Manipur Public Libraries Act: Rules and Regulations on the 12th August, 1993. As an outcome and as the follow-up action of the event the State Cabinet in its meeting held on the 1st July, 1996 approved the Rules of the Act and the same was published in the Manipur Gazette (No. 267 dated the 12th September, 1996) as the Manipur Public Libraries Rules, 1996. MALA, as such has been very much instrumental in the state towards having a Public Libraries Act. The state thus could become the sixth state in the country after West Bengal having such an Act. The same has partially been started its implementation since 1st October, 2002 while Dr. M. Nara Singh was the Minister of Art & Culture of the State. However, implementation of the Act in its true spirit is the need of the hour.
Another aspect on the legislative support of the public library may be mentioned of the Bill passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly concerning the taking over of the management of the Manipur Public Library ( Bill No.11 of 2015 “ THE MANIPUR PUBLIC LIBRARY (TAKING OVER OF MANAGEMENT) BILL, 2015” introduced by Shri Okram Ibobi Singh, honb’le Chief Minister on the floor of the House  on 3rd July and passed on 8th July, 2015.The Manipur Public Library was established in 1948 by some social workers of Manipur by constituting a Committee known as Manipur Public Library Committee with Shri N. Gopal Singh as founder Secretary. It was constructed just behind the MG Memorial Hall, Imphal, on the land given by the Manipur State Council vide its Resolution No. 27of 04/02/1948.It is a public property but mismanagement of the property has been observed by the public and government as well since a long time. The library was not functioning for a longer time curtailing the opportunity of the general public to access to the library and knowledge thereby defeating the very purpose for which it was established. That is why the state government has decided to take over the management of the library in the interest of the general public and one or more officers is being appointed to look after the library to serve the public.This is a good initiative of the government of the state.
9. Role of READ India
 Rural Education And Development (READ) India, as a partner of the READ Global, has been giving special attention to serve the marginalized and underserved communities who are living at periphery of resources and are not aware of the technological boom and how they can be benefitted from it. It feels that there is a need to strengthen “PublicPrivate-Partnership” (PPP) model. READ, with Bottom-up Approach, has set up one of the unique models to empower communities through its Community Library and Resource Centers (CLRCs), specially the women and children who are the regular visitors at READ Centers. The integral approach of bringing Education, Enterprise followed by intensive trainings at the Centers is bringing a social change in the rural communities wherever READ has its Centers and communities are owning the programmes. READ CLRCs are playing a critical role in helping disadvantaged and marginalized communities by providing new opportunities to become better educated and economically & socially empowered. Each community is unique and hence each Center is distinctive in its response to serving the interests, needs of the local communities. The READ India has reached this land to established such community library and resource cenytres.Two such centres have, so far , been established in Manipur by the READ India during 2009 -2011.The two centres are:
1) Tubileima Rural Public Library and Resource Centre, Taobungkhok, Imphal West, Manipur ,  dedicated for the community during 2009.
2) Tazei Community Library and Resource Centre, Sangaiprou, Imphal West, Manipur, dedicated to the community during 2011.
10. Initiatives of the NSS Cell, Manipur University
A humble initiative has been launched by the NSS Cell, Manipur University since 2013 to establish NSS COMMUNITY LIBRARY. NSS is a scheme sponsored by the Government of India , Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the core objective of which is to make our student youth more socially sensitive by establishing a linkage between campus and community.  Each Educational Institution covered under NSS has at least one NSS unit of normally 100 volunteers. Each NSS Unit adopts a Village/ Slum for taking up its activities which is normally located within a radius of 8 Km. of the institute. Each NSS Volunteer is required to take part in both regular and special camping programmes organized. It is in this context that the scheme has good social implications. Creation of asset is another important dimension of the scheme. In this background, the NSS Cell, Manipur University has taken up an initiative to develop NSS Community Library in the adopted villages/slums of the different NSS units under the Cell. So far the following NSS Community Library have established by the NSS Units of different colleges affiliated to the University including one for the Cell itself:
1) NSS Cell, Manipur University, Canchipur(12th August, 2013)
2) Taloulung village, adopted village of NSS Unit of Damdei Christian College, Taluolong, Senapati District , Manipur(7th February, 2015).
3) Haotak  Village, adopted village of NSS Unit Kumbi Vollege, bishnupur District, Manipur( 25th September, 2015).
4) Khurai Saroj Leikai , adopted village of  Shree Shree Gourgovinda Girls’ College, Khurai, Imphal East, Mnaipur (4th October, 2015).
5) Chowainu village, adopted village of Asufii Christian Institute, Pununammei,Mao, Senapati District, Manipur.(10th October, 2015)
11. Conclusion
While Manipur is passing through a very critical juncture on a multiple number of issues its public library movement has also eighty four years, taking into account the establishment of Manipur Club to provide public library service by Atulchandra in 1927 as the beginning of public library movement. In spite of different efforts made in the last 84 years the present scenario of public libraries in Manipur is still depressive. But, we do also, on the other hand, expect that there will be a continuous progress and development in the near future in the area of public library to develop a new culture of peace and all round development in the state. Some yardsticks that we can suggest for the enhancement of library movement and development of library in the state may include the following:
a)  Implementation of the long pending the Manipur Public Libraries Act, 1988 without much delay has become an utmost important.
b) Opening of a separate Directorate of Public Libraries bifurcating it from the Department of Art and Culture of Manipur.
c) Revival of the extinct libraries which were established by our pioneers to give homage to them.
d) RRRLF and State Central Library should come forward to cover more number of voluntary organisations to establish library giving support and cooperation.
e) NSS Cell, Manipur University establishing a good linkage with all the NSS Units and voluntary organizations of the adopted villages should enhance its activities towards establishing more NSS Community Library in the state.
f) READ India also requires to extend its support towards establishement of more Community Library and Resource Centres in Manipur.

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