Burma Library set up in New Delhi

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                        BURMA LIBRARY
 
1. INTRODUCTION
=============
 
        Books are our friends, philosophers, and guides. They give light 
to 
those who are benighted, guide to those who are strayed and cheer to 
those who 
are unhappy. Books are the source of intellectual light and spiritual 
elevation. 
Here, we would like to state what Hudson has said. According to Hudson, 
they 
make us partakers in life larger, richer and more varied than we 
ourselves can 
ever know of our individual knowledge; and they do this, not only because 
they 
open up new fields of experience and new lines of thought and 
speculation, 
because they carry us beyond the pinched and meagre humanity of our every 
day round of existence into contact with fresh, strong and magnetic 
personality 
of the world.
        Books serve not only for delight and ability but also play a 
vital role in 
revolutionising public opinion and reforming the moral tone of human 
society. 
It was through books that Hobbes gave impetus to the civil war of 1642 
and 
Locke to the revolution of 1687. The French revolution was the out come 
of the 
writing of Voltaire and Rousseau. Life is governed by idea and ideals, 
and 
books which are the precious life-blood of master spirits are at the back 
of all 
revolutionary movements.
        It can not be denied that youths are a precious asset of a 
country. 
Future of a country is determined by the quality of the youths of present 
time. 
When we closely observe the situation prevailing in our society, we come 
to see 
that most of the youths in Delhi have an ample of free time, but only few 
can 
utilise the time beneficially. Some even resort to drug by means of 
passing time. 
This situation arises due to excessive free time and lack of recreational 
facilities. The library is an outcome of our collective effort to ratify 
the 
situation. Today, there are about sixty people benefiting from the 
library. The 
library has been receiving acclaim from every quarter.  
 
 
2. A Brief Account of Burma Library
==========================
 
        The Burma library was initiated by some enthusiasts. In the 
beginning 
it could hardly be called a library, for there were a lot of needs to 
meet the 
standard of a library. Later, other interested parties joined in, 
bringing their 
books in the library. As they could not appreciate the librarys 
condition, they 
tried to find out the ways of improving it. Finally, they arrived at the 
decision to 
invite all the well-wishers and other reading publics to join in the 
librarys 
activities. Later, a meeting was held in the Janak Puri colony, inviting 
all the 
people. In the same meeting a library committee composed of the members 
of 
various organisations and the independents was made. Following persons 
were 
chosen to the various post accordingly.
 
1. Nanda Tint Swe                       Librarian
2. Nyi Nyi Htwe                         Assistant Librarian
3. Win Bo                               Treasurer             
4. Mr. Ramjeet Verma                    Member
5. U Myint Aung                         Member
6. U Myint Thein                        Member
7. U Yan Naing                          Member
8. U Nyunt Hla                          Member
9. Dr. Zaw Win Aung                     Member
10. Ko Zin Naing                        Member
11. Ko Sitt Nyein Aye                   Member
12. Ko Ye Myint Soe                     Member
13. Ko Kyaw Moe                         Member
14. Ko Tun Tun Win                      Member
15. Ko Hmae Win                         Member
16. Ko Zaw Zaw                          Member
 
        After the formation of library committee, Several discussion were 
held 
among committee members, in which policy on different matters were 
formulated, aims and objectives of the library was laid down, 
extra-activities to 
be carried out were decided. So far, the committee have been able to 
collect 
more than 600 books(both English and Burmese)from various well-wishers. 
About sixty reading public have been able to enjoy the benefit of the 
library 
since its opening day. 
 
 
3. ACTIVITIES 
===========
        It has been decided by the library committee that the library 
will also 
make literary activities as much as time and fund permit. The committee 
have 
taken a step by holding a weekly literary talk on every Sunday. Everyone 
is free 
to participate in the talk. The conversations spoken in the talk were 
recorded on 
the audio tape and were published into a booklet under the name of FORUM. 
So far, five booklets have been published successfully. Following 
publishing 
committee  was made with the purpose of undertaking the regular publication.
 
Publishing Committee   
----------------------------
Ko Sitt Nyein Aye               In-charge
Ko Nanda Tint Swe               DTP
Ko Aung San Myint               DTP
Ko Hmae Win                     Assistant
Ko Mya Zaw                      Assistant
 
4. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
=====================
        
        The committee has laid down following aims and objectives for the 
effective operation of the establishment.
1. To cultivate a habit of reading in the Burmese community
2. To promote knowledge and thinking of the people
3. To enable Burmese youths to pursue knowledge in their leisure time
4. To avoid adverse consequences arising out of excessive leisure time of 
the 
youths.
 
 
5. POLICY
========
        
        Following policies have been formulated by the committee to keep 
the 
library always on its original track and to make sure of its success.
 
Policy regarding financial matters
-----------------------------------------
        The library shall not seek any financial assistance from the 
organisations until the proposed action is in concrete form. Small 
financial 
crises of the library must be solved by way of self-reliance methods. The 
library 
may, during the crisis period, collect monthly fee from its members. But 
it must 
be kept in mind that the collection of fund should not impose burden on 
the 
members. Those members who have not received refugee status must be 
exempted from the payment of fees.
 
Policy regarding political matters
-----------------------------------------
        The library shall reject political influence of any particular 
party or 
organisation. It shall not advocate any particular political or religious 
belief.
 
Policy regarding its activities
------------------------------------
        The library shall carry out other literary activities as much as 
time and 
fund permit, but it should be subsidiary to the main objectives of the 
library.
 
 
6. POSITION
===========
 
        In order to avoid peoples misinterpretation of the position of 
the 
establishment, the committee has clarified it as follow;
1. The library belongs to all the Burmese community in India. Everyone is 
free 
to give advice or participate in its activities.
2. The library does not represent any particular party or organisation.
3. The library is operated by the committee composed of the members of 
various organisations and the independents. The influence of any 
particular 
party or organisation or person shall not affect the operation of this 
establishment.
 
        We earnestly request all the well-wishers to extend  co-operation 
to the 
library by contributing funds or  sending any  publication of your 
organisation 
to the library regularly. All are requested to make a regular 
contribution of 
articles or essay for the FORUM, the weekly publication.
 
 
Contact Address:
 
Burma Library
C/o Mr R. J. Verma
87-C, GG-I
Vikaspuri
New Delhi - 110018
India
* E-Mail : aungsan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx