Bhubaneswar: In a bid to reinvent Parija Library, Utkal University has inaugurated a newly renovated reading hall in the library on Tuesday.
The PhD scholar hall of the library has also been renovated. Approximately Rs 56 lakhs were spent on the project. Anweshan hall houses 16 rooms for the PhD scholars on the second floor and a reading room for students in the name of Manoj Das has been created on the fifth floor of the library, according to a release from the university.
This set up is aimed at informing students about the life and philosophy of Manoj Das. Books on Das’ life and work will be available in the room.
In today’s digital world, libraries are the less travelled roads by the students since they have access to all sorts of information through their smartphones. The university administration has taken an initiative to attract more students to the library.
The road opposite to the library has been declared “No vehicular zone” in order to avoid distraction and noise pollution.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Soumendra Mohan Patnaik said, “All departments of the university have their own libraries. However they work in silos and the number of books available there are also limited. That’s why we have tried to reinvent Parija library with a vision to transform it into a ground for intellectual growth. The library will no longer be a silent zone but a buzzing space for intellectual interaction.”
Besides the Vice-chancellor, Registrar Dr Avaya Kumar Nayak, PG Council Chairperson Dr Basant Malik, Director CDC, Professor Nigamananda Das, RUSA Coordinator Professor PK Hota, New Campus OSD J Dandpat, Library In-charge Professor Bhaswati Patnaik and Chief librarian Dr Ravindra Garada also graced the inaugural programme.
