(Online) Recommendation on Libraries During Different
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Das AK.; Sch. J. Arts. Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2015; 3(2D):549-556 Scholars Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences ISSN 2347-5374 (Online) Sch. J. Arts Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2015; 3(2D):549-556 ISSN 2347-9493 (Print) ©Scholars Academic and Scientific Publishers (SAS Publishers) (An International Publisher for Academic and Scientific Resources) Recommendation on libraries during different planning commission since independent in India Amiya Kumar Das Assistant librarian, Bengal institute of technology and management, Bolpur, Santiniketan, West Bengal *Corresponding Author: Amiya Kumar Das Email: [email protected] Abstract: This paper describes the different planning commission‟s recommendation on the Library and information system and Services in India. It represents what are the steps has been taken by the Government of India for the holistic development of Library time to time from different committee, organization and National Policy, National Knowledge Commission, national mission on libraries etc. It is now library community can hope for the holistic development of libraries in India. Keywords: Planning commission, National mission libraries, Library and Information System, India Introduction Historical development of libraries in India Libraries play a very significant role in the The importance of libraries in academic welfare of a society like social, political, economic and institutions was recognized in India even in the ancient cultural development. It also played in the preservation period. In the Vedic age instructions were imparted and advancement of culture, formal and self-education “orally, without the medium of books.” Libraries of the and reading for leisure. The origin of libraries as important centre of learning such as Nalanda, noticed in the third millennium BC, as records on clay Vikramsila, Taxila, Vallabhi, Odantapuri, Somauri, tablets were stored in a temple in the Babylonian town Jaggadal, Mithila, Kanheri etc. [6], have existed in our of Nippur [10]. Important libraries of the ancient world country from the very ancient times. All these centers of were those of Aristotle, the great library at Alexandra learning had reading materials. Taxila University had an with its thousands of Papyrus and Vellum Scroll, its excellent library with a collection of works on rival at Pergamum that included many works on Hinduism, political science, literature, medicine and parchment, the Bibliotheca Ulpia of Rome and the philosophy. The Nalanda University library was the Imperial library at Byzantium setup by Constantine. biggest in Asia [10]. It had a huge library known as „Dharmaganja‟ consisting of three buildings called India is known for its tradition of learning and „Ratnasagara‟ (sea of gems), „Ratnadadhi‟ (ocean of as well as for its cultural heritage. In ancient and gems), and „Ratnaranjaka‟ (collection of gems).Among medieval periods, there existed famous libraries and them „Ratnadadhi‟ was a nine-storeyed buildings which places of religious worship. In India, planning and housed the rare manuscripts- Prajnaparamita Sutra and programming efforts have been many since Tantric works such as Samajguhya etc.In the seventh Independence for library development. After the century A.D., there were two more famous seats of independence Government of India to take a stapes for learning in the South India known as „Amarawati‟ and the development of library time to time from different „Nagarjuna‟[8]. Most of the collection of these learning planning commission and setup various committee and seats was related to Rasayana Sastra.All these libraries organization of planning period. The development were destroyed at one time or the other by fire. should be systematic and sustained, for which proper planning is necessary [4]. The planning process has to The Muslim age first Mughal emperor Babar take into account political, legal, economic and was a voracious reader, prolific writer and great lover of administrative realities at any point of time. In this manuscripts. His successors were also lovers of books study explore the recommendation on libraries during and libraries. Humayun had set up a Library in Agra different planning commission; various committee and Fort which was managed by Lal Beg. Similarly Akbar organization for the development of libraries since also set up a library under management and control of independent in India Sheikh Faizi [10]. Akbar even took deep interest in manuscripts and appointed caleographers (Katibs) for Available Online: http://saspjournals.com/sjahss 549 Das AK.; Sch. J. Arts. Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2015; 3(2D):549-556 copying god manuscripts. The famous Hindu epics, service of the community. Jawaharlal Nehru was the namely, the Mahabharata and the Ramayanana were first chairman of the planning commission [14]. translated in Persian. He converted the library of Agra Fort into rich library. Other Mughal emperors also took The first Five-year Plan was launched in 1951 keen interest in libraries and books. and two subsequent five-year plans were formulated till 1965, when there was a break because of the Indo- In nineteen Century, the British were the first Pakistan Conflict. Two successive years of drought, to set up Public library like institutions in India. There devaluation of the currency, a general rise in prices and were however, people among them who were interested erosion of resources disrupted the planning process and in the up liftmen of the rich cultural heritage of India. after three Annual Plans between 1966 and 1969, the Such Britishers, first of all set up public library-like fourth Five-year plan was started in 1969.The Eighth institutions in Bombay, Calcutta, Madras and other Plan could not take off in 1990 due to the fast changing parts of the country [8]. Libraries set up during this political situation at the Centre and the years 1990-91 period by the British or with their support, and were and 1991-92 were treated as Annual Plans. The Eighth used mostly by the members of the upper class and the Plan was finally launched in 1992 after the initiation of elites of the society. The lower strata of the society structural adjustment policies [10]. could not access these libraries. It will however have to be admitted that these libraries opened the portals for Recommendations of planning commission for setting up libraries for the common man. The common development of libraries man, inspired and enlightened by the education After independence of India the Five Years imparted by the British, became interested in books and Plan began to be implemented that library development libraries. got attention. The Successive Five Year Plan, which adds up to twelfth, now, has ushered in library facilities On 30th January 1903 the Imperial Library on large scale in the country. The Government of India was opened for public use which was also notified in took keen interest in providing public library services to Gazette of India [11]. A few lines of the notification the masses. read as follows: “It is intended that it should be a library of reference, a working place for students, and a First Five Year Plan (1951-56) repository of material for the future historians of India In this planning period the Government in which, so far as possible every work about India any included the scheme of improvement of public library time can be seen and read” [6]. This reflects that in the services along with community development year 1903 the British government in India for all programme [12]. practical purposes had given the Imperial library the 1. It was visualized and proposed under this plan status of India‟s National library. In Independent India to set up a National Central library at central the Government of India renamed this library as level and central library‟s at state level. “National Library” by enacting Imperial Library 2. Delhi Public Library and INSDOC were set up (Change of name) Act of 1948. during this plan in 1952 & 1955 respectively, with the joint efforts of and assistance of In the twenty century S. R. Ranganathan Government of India and UNESCO. appeared on the scene like a radiant luminary. Though, 3. Delivery of Books Act was passed in 1954 and he worked in the libraries of academic institutions, he later amended in 1956. In this plan period the made significant contribution towards Public library government on the recommendation of the movement in India. Owing to his efforts and the seminar on Role of Libraries in Social inspiration received from him four states, viz. Madras Education, held in New Delhi in 1955. (Tamil Nadu), Andhra Pradesh, Mysore (Karnataka), 4. Set up an Advisory Committee for Libraries in and Maharashtra passed and enacted library legislation 1957 under the chairmanship of Shri K.P. in their states in1948, 1960, 1965, and 1967 Sinha [8]. respectively [8]. Ranganathan, besides preparing Model Library bills for almost all the Indian States. Advisory Committee for Libraries in 1957 Under the Chairmanship of Shri K.P. Sinha Planning Commission in India The chief recommendations of the report were [8]; The Planning Commission was set up by a 1. Library service should be made free to every Resolution of the Government of India in March citizen of India 1950 in pursuance of declared objectives of the 2. The hierarchy of public library service in the Government to promote a rapid rise in the standard of country should begin with National Library, living of the people by efficient exploitation of the and proceed to State Central Library, District resources of the country, increasing production and Library, Block Library, and Panchayat Library; offering opportunities to all for employment in the 3. An independent Director of Social Education and Libraries should be set up in every state, Available Online: http://saspjournals.com/sjahss 550 Das AK.; Sch. J. Arts. Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2015; 3(2D):549-556 with amfulltime senior class-1 officer of the 1.