SOME WORDS :

A library is basically a bank of knowledge. Preservation and distribution of knowledge is a continuous process. “Tamosho Ma(m) Jyotirgamaya” (Sumambonum and highest good) and “Atmo Mabo Bhabo” (Search your root, Search your passion, Search your mind) —the journey from darkness to light and this is what spurred him. In fact, the altered situation and explosion of Information Technology has changed the life style of the people. On the other hand the scope of study has decreased and hence the necessity of a ready to access online library.

Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980) once said — “Everything has been figured out, except how to live.” Undaunted, they debated until the choice was unanimous — appreciation of art and culture. It wasn’t a difficult choice since art & culture have always been very dear to Bengal’s heart. No one can deny the fact that the giants of Bengal not only reformed and enriched India but also have nourished the consciousness of the rest of the world. The thoughts of these luminaries are best expressed in the native language, Bengali.

In 1979 Jyoti Bandyopadhyay, then a student of Scottish Church College (Class XI) came in contact with Dr. Alok Ray, an eminent Educationist,

Researcher of Nineteenth Century and the then Head of the Department of Bengali of the same college. He occasionally visited the residence of Dr. Ray where he found a big personal library stuffed with old and valuable books inspiring him immensely. He felt the urge of collecting and preserving them. Jyoti Bandopadhyay started to collect books, journals, images from old bookshops (boipara purono boier dokan) of College Street area and from his friend circle as well to gradually develop a personal book bank. That effort gave birth to the concept of Bengali e-library (www. www.banglalibrary.org).

We live in a hectic world that is full of opportunity but consumed by materialism and restlessness to the point of insanity. At the end of the day, we retreat into a culture whose lyric almost therapeutically soothes our nerves and helps us readjust our mind to the true meaning of life — life that discerns substance from superficiality, happiness from restlessness and, above all, commitment to family from individual hedonism. So in a world immersed in materialism where technological advancement has exceeded humanity. Atulprasad aptly understood the importance of the language and created some immortal songs “Moder garab moder asha, a mori Bangla bhasa.” — (Our pride, our hope, O our language Bengali!)