SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Friday inaugurated the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Islamic Library and Information Centre at Umshyrpi College, Laban.
Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, the chief minister said, “It is a befitting tribute to Kalam. It will be the store house of collection of publications reflecting thoughts and ideas of gone, by-gone and future generations.”
“Most of our traditional knowledge and wisdom passed on to us by word of mouth were missed out because traditional knowledge were not captured in the form of publication or reproduced in documentation,” he added.
The chief minister observed that the library will provide opportunities to budding writers which will be a platform to utilize the library and provide access to readers on varied thoughts and ideas found in books.
“The library and information centre becomes an attractive point making the young people desirous of knowledge and wisdom and I hope that it will bring heavy footfalls,” he said.
He recollected his days as a student at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) where he had ample access to the library.
Earlier, speaking about the ongoing clashes perpetuated by the ISIS, Sayeedullah Nongrum, chairman of the organizing committee, Nelson Year celebration of Shillong Muslim Union (SMU), said, “We do not support ISIS and we should not forget that Islam is flexible and not rigid. We cannot support those who kill one another, especially women and children.”
Highlighting on the achievements of SMU, he informed that in the last 35 years the SMU has been able to financially support the education of 3,000 students. Praveen Davar, Member, National Commission for Minorities, attended the function as the guest of honour and also donated some books to the newly inaugurated library.
Among others who spoke at the function included Naseem Ahmad, Chairman, National Commission for Minorities, Noor Nongrum, secretary, organizing committee, Amy Yousuf, vice Cchairperson and Julfiqar Ali Ahmad, convener, Literary Committee.
