Bhopal, Apr 10: Reading books is vital for every learned person in this materialistic world. A person can change his fortunes by going through such books as Shiv Khera's 'Jeet Aapki' or 'Samay Aapki Mutthi Mein' by Vijay Agrawal, a master in time management. British Library is an institution which has thousands of informative and career-oriented books. Bhopalites were shocked when the British Council had decided to wind up the library. But there is a heartening news for book-lovers that British Library is being re-opened by the state government. In this connection Bhopal Today Team

talked to a cross section of society to elicit their views.

Every educated persons wants to read good books on diverse subjects apart from those related to his course or profession. These books include novels, collections of poems and short stories and books on literature, history, geography, politics, culture and a plethora of other subjects. However wealthy a person might be, he cannot purchase and store all the books of his choice and liking. This necessity turn him towards a library. There are a couple of libraries in the city. But the British Library held pride of place among them. The British Council, which ran the library has closed it down. But on the initiative of the state government, British Library is being opened once again. This has created a wave of happiness among the book-lovers who were dismayed over the news of the library's closure. Those who were the members of the British Library would continue to avail of their membership while new readers would also have a chance to read books on diverse subjects.

Bhopal Today Team chose to talk to some present members, whose fathers, mothers and forefathers were also members of the British library to know their views on the revival of the library. The persons interviewed by BT included some youths also. The people in general have been delighted over reopening of British Library.

British Library at a glance

The library, which has a vast collection of 13000 books, was started in Bhopal in 1965. At that time it was housed in the building at Banganga, where Kala Parishad is situated nowadays. In 1975, it was shifted to GTB Complex in New Market.

What they say

'We are planning to reopen the British Library. I am sure the people in this city will be happy over this. It will be better not to say any more in this regard. We are trying to reopen the Library at a new place very soon.

Rajgopal Naidu, Commissioner, Public Instruction.

S P Chaturvedi, a former employee of the Library says he cannot forget his days with the British Library. I was employed there for several years. You cannot find such a collection of books elsewhere. All who were working in the British Library have become unemployed after closure of the Library. I am so happy to hear that the library is being reopened by the state government. So far no one was appointed in this library. We expect that at least some of the former employees will be re-employed.

Vinay Mishra, Professor and HOD, Psychology & Social Work, BSS College, Bhopal remembers that he had become a member of the British Library at a young age. My grandfather was also a member. My father too took membership of the Library. My children also are members. In fact, three generations of my family are members of the British Library. I was sad when I heard about closure of the library. But I am happy now as the state government is trying to reopen it.

Sunita Anand, Professor, Management, BSS, Bhopal says she was a member of the library. The Library had books to the taste of everyone, especially English novels. I am a professor in management. Books of management were also available in the Library in large number. The library will improve due to the efforts of the state government.

Students are also happy

second year student of B Com (Computer), Zeba says the reopening of the library is welcomed by the citizens of the city. The students are happier because the library is more useful to them. I am interested in reading literary books and I used to visit the Library very often.