Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)

Udupi, May 7: District in-charge minister Vinay Kumar Sorake laid the foundation stone for hi-tech district library at Ajjarkad, next to town hall, here on Saturday, May 7.

After laying the foundation stone, he said, “This full-fledged district library with an outlay of Rs 5.18 crore will help students in building their knowledge. Udupi is always advanced in education sector. Human resource department has also identified our district as one of the literate districts,”

“There are brilliant scholars and toppers in the district but only few pursue IAS, IPS and civil service. Keeping in mind such competitive examinations, such knowledge centres as this library and other civil examination coaching centres should come up in city. A sum of Rs 2 crore has been granted from MP, MLA, CRS funds for the district library.” Sorake added.

Speaking on the occasion, Priyanka Mary Francis, CEO, Zilla panchayat said, “Civilization depends on the visions of people.”

Udupi MLA Pramod Madhwaraj said, “State government has released a total of Rs 20 crore for various developmental works. It is a matter of pride that we have built this library. We encourage youngsters from our district to pursue IAS and IPS.”

“There are 30 districts, 26 towns, 100 slum areas and 127 mobile libraries in the state. There are 163 libraries in Udupi district alone. The state government is moving towards digitalized library system in state,” said Dr Satish Kumar Hosmani, director, public library Bengaluru.

Dinkar Babu, president, zilla panchayat, Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje, pesident and Sandhya Pai, vice president, Nalini G I, chief Librarian, public library Udupi, C J Venkatesh, chief district librarian, Manjunathayya, Commissioner CMC and others were present.