Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 06 2009:
State Governor, Gurbachan Jagat today said that publication of books in Manipur is not upto the expectation because of the small market and lack of adequate
infrastructures.
Speaking at the inaugural function of the two day national seminar on "Challenges of Publishing in the North-East" at state Guest house organised jointly by the Federation of Indian Publishers, New Delhi and Witer's Forum, Imphal today, the Governor, who was the chief guest, said that with the advancement in IT and IT enabled services, the access to information becomes faster and easier and anyone can access any information through 'Internet' in seconds.
"It was thought that printed books will become obsolete in this environment, but books continue to be as popular as before the advent of this technology.
Innovations like e-book, etc.
still have not impacted printed books.
One major problem of the information available on the net is its reliability and printed books will perhaps continue their popularity in the future," he
said.
For developing countries like India and with particular reference to the State of Manipur, the role of book publishers is very important as through them all branches of knowledge are being spread in society.
They deserve every encouragement from all sides, he added.
Many talented poets, writers have been and are born in the state and the land famous for games and sports, dances, theatre, cinema, etc.
The beautiful cultural heritage contributes to the enrichment of the glorious and aged-old cultural mosaic of the country he said questioning himself on why is the publication of books in Manipur not upto our expectation.
The most important factor is due to the small market, he observed.
Ratan Thiyam who also spoke at the opening function said the seminar will give a wave to the publishers and also expressed the need for writers and publishers of the state to join hand with FIP and try to publish books.
Scholar N Tombi also expressed the need for building a common platform for the writers and publishers.
The recent formation of a body of the publishers will help a lot in building the common platform.
FIP official Shakti Mallick announced that the federation will gift 200 copies to the Manipur Central Library.
He also urged to try to affiliate to FIP so as to able to take part in the national and international book fairs.