A walk for the revival of good old libraries

A walk for the revival of good old libraries by college students in Vijayawada on Thursday.

It was an unusual walk meant for reviving the libraries. Neither there were slogans nor shouting. Not only librarians but also many children, intellectuals and people from all walks of life participated in it.

The ‘Walk for Libraries’ began at Ramamohana Library and ended at Sarvottama Bhavan, which houses Pathuri Nagabhushanam library, on Bandar Road. Freedom fighter Lavanam unveiled the statue of Gadicharla Harisarvottama Rao at the library.

Statue of Ayyanki Ramanaiah Pantulu was unveiled by his grandson Ayyanki Venkata Murali Krishna. Both Harisarvottama Rao and Ramanaiah Pantulu were instrumental in library movement in the State.

Reading habit

On the occasion, the speakers said that the educationists and parents should encourage reading habit.

Importance of books

Children would grow as responsible citizens and resourceful persons to the country if they read books.

Pivotal role

Libraries and books are best friends and help the people in developing their personality.

MLC K. Lakshmana Rao said that libraries played a pivotal role in freedom struggle and in enriching people’s knowledge.

Libraries helped in literary and social movements during 1950 and 1986. But, the patronage to libraries was on decline for various reasons including negligence on the part of government.

Many libraries were on the verge of closure due to lack of government support, Mr. Lakshmana Rao lamented.

Need for central library

As the State was being divided, it was necessary to develop a central library in Seemandhra in the lines of Central Library at Hyderabad. The regional library at Guntur could be developed as a Central library, he felt.

The walk started sharp at 8 a.m. and children from SKCV Children’s Trust and nursing college students took part in it.

A.P Grandhalaya Parishad Chairman Turlapati Kutumba Rao flagged off the walk. MLCs Lakshmana Rao and Ilapuram Venakaiah, VGTMUDA Chairman Vanukuri Srinvasa Reddy, Andhra Pradesh Library Association centenary celebrations organising committee chairman D. Ashok Kumar and Secretary Raavi Sarada and others took part in the walk.