Indian Corner set up at national library

Nalis, in collaboration with the Indian High Commission and Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Cultural Co-operation, launched an Indian Corner at the Port of Spain Adult Library.

The Indian corner is in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Trinidad and Tobago and India, a media release said. It will be solely dedicated to Indian books. Through this corner it is hoped that readers will gain a greater awareness of the culture, politics, economy, history and much more about India. All the books were donated by the Indian High Commission and, after they are catalogued, will be loaned to the public, the release said.

Delivering remarks at the launch on August 7 were Dr Pradeep Rajpurohit, High Commissioner for India; Neil Parsanlal, chairman of Nalis and Paula Greene, executive director, Nalis. Shiv Kumar Nigam, second secretary of the high commission, recited a poem in Hindi. Primatie Persad, Nalis’ director, Public Libraries Division, chaired the programme.

Parsanlal said although TT and India celebrate the 60th anniversary milestone, the relationship between the countries goes back to 1845. He said the collection will help bridge gaps for many. Reflecting on his own name, Parsanlal, he said he often wondered where it came from. He said the books at the National Library and those at the National Archives will help people discover their roots.

Rajpurohit said he looks forward to having more Indian Corners at other libraries outside Port of Spain and whatever effort the Indian High Commission can make to “double up greater understanding and to double up what are the latest developments back in India will be done,” the release said.

The corner should remind people that through knowledge and culture, we are all connected, Green said.

She said people should explore, engage and immerse themselves in the wealth of knowledge that the corner offers.

Green presented copies of Nalis’ publication Indo-Trinbagonian Poetry to Rajpurohit. The publication, produced by the Heritage Library Division, consists of a bibliography of works by poets of Indo-TT descent.