SHAKEELA ANDRABI
SRINAGAR: The SPS Library, biggest educational and knowledge hub for people of Kashmir Valley, is presently deprived of internet facility due to which students and people from different walks of life are facing a lot of hardships. Established in 1904, SPS Library has a repository of around 6000 centuries old rare manuscripts in 17 languages encompassing varied fields including religious, philosophical, historical, literary and scientific writings, which can prove very helpful to scholars and researchers.
Recently Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad visited the library to oversee its functioning and facilities available for students and scholars. During the visit, the DC was accompanied by Director Libraries & Research and other concerned officers. On the occasion, DC inspected various compartments of Library and was appraised about centuries old repository of Manuscripts, Rare Books and Miniature etc.
DC also held an interaction with students/scholars and enquired about facilities available at SPS Library, during which students put forth several demands before the Deputy Commissioner including provision of power backup for uninterrupted power supply and high-speed Internet facility. The district administration assured them that all their genuine demands would be looked on priority. Officials of Libraries & Research Department, J&K also assured that they have a proposal of setting-up of an IT hub inside the library adding that the permission of internet access to students will be only given after an approval from authorities.
