Marathi libraries fade away
11 out of 29 libraries run by the Mumbai Marathi Granth Sangrahalaya have downed their shutters in the last two years because there aren’t enough members or books to sustain them ……SUDHIR SURYAWANSHI
While politicians are vying with one another to hog the limelight as the “protector of Marathi interests”, libraries in the city meant for readers of Marathi books are closing down.
Out of 29 Marathi libraries run by the Mumbai Marathi Granth Sangrahalaya (MMGS), 11 have closed down in the past two years. In the past two months, the libraries at Dadar and Abhyudaya Nagar, Parel, have shut down because of insufficient number of members and lack of infrastructure. Similarly, eight more libraries are expected to pull their shutters down soon.
The BMC had given 29 libraries to the MMGS in 1965, with the agreement to release a grant of Rs 15,000 every year. At present, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar is the president of MMGS.
Diwakar Dalvi, member of Dadar library said the libraries were shutting down because new books on Marathi literature have not been bought in the past few years. The furniture inside the libraries are also in a poor state.
S S Shinde, deputy municipal commissioner, said, “It is the responsibility of the MMGS to run the library to provide enough services to members. They should submit a plan to the BMC to revamp all libraries. It is very sad that other modern libraries are thriving in city, while Marathi libraries are shutting down,” he added.
MMGS secretary Krishnakant Shinde said the BMC is equally responsible for the closure of libraries.
MMGS secretary Krishnakant Shinde said the BMC is equally responsible for the closure of libraries.
“The civic body has been giving us an annual grant of Rs 15,000, which is insufficient. With this amount, we can not purchase new books, literature and improve the infrastructure of the libraries. Earlier, Marathi-speaking population were there in large numbers in the island city because there used to work at various mills and industrial units located here. Now, they have closed down and people have shifted to the suburbs,” he said.
Shinde said they had requested the BMC not to close down libraries just because there were very few members. “We will soon submit the library makeover plan to the BMC and hope that they will promptly act on it. Additionally, the MMGS has decided to start new libraries in the suburbs,” Shinde added.
Dalvi further said that the BMC and MMGS are “not keen on running the library” “They closed down Dadar library, saying that the library building was in a dilapidated condition. Several shops in the same building are still there and doing business. Why is the BMC not closing down these shops? The reason is: they want to give the land to builders,” Dalvi added.
Another member of the closed library, Premanand Bhatkar, said the administration of the library is not efficient to run the library.
Former editor of a newspaper and wellknown Marathi writer Arun Tikekar said the Marathi libraries are not keeping the kind of books that can draw the younger generation. “Most of the Marathi literature is religious, spiritual, or relating to cookery and technology. The young are hardly interested in such literature. Also, the Marathi literature available in the libraries is not good enough to hold the attention of young readers. There are nearly 2,000 types of Marathi books coming in the market every year, but hardly any of them are of general interest.”
“In English, people get a variety of books. Marathi literature needs to catch up to attract readers. Moreover, the government does not have a specific policy over library and book printing. There should be integrated approach. Also, the government should increase its grant to improve the infrastructure and the variety of books in libraries. Old book shops are closing down,” he said.
LOCATION OF LIBRARIES RUN BY MUMBAI MARATHI GRANTH SANGRALAY THAT HAVE CLOSED
Dadar, near Vishva Hotel Shivadi Belasis road (Grant Road) Navi wadi, Girgaum Currey road Mondavi (Masjid Bunder) Abhudya Nagar (Kalachowki) Worli, Koli wada Barve Nagar (Ghatkopar) Jijamata Udyan, Byculla Senapati Bapat Marg (Elphinstone)
ON THE VERGE OF CLOSING DOWN
Laxmi Cottage, Parel Gokhale road Agripada Tardeo Nal Bazar Dongari Worli (Adarsha Nagar) Wadala
A closed library of the Mumbai Marathi Granth Sangrahalay at Dadar