NORTH BENGAL STATE LIBRARY

GCDP demonstration in Cooch Behar

The Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Party (GCDP) came out demanding
upliftment of the status of the North Bengal State Library (NBSL).
They want it to be included in 'A' Category. They staged a
demonstration at the District Magistrate's office and submitted a
memorandum to the Cooch Behar ADM (General) that was addressed to the
Union Human Resource Development minister with copies conveyed to the
President, the Prime Minister, the Home minister and the Chief
Minister of West Bengal.

The GCDP president, Ashutosh Barma alleged that the North Bengal State
Library was initially established in 1870 by the then ruler of Cooch
Behar State, Maharaja Nripendra Narayan. It was then known as
Maharaja's Library. After merger of Cooch Behar State with India the
library came under the state library department. In 1969 the library
was renamed as North Bengal State Library and it was transferred in a
new building. The Cooch Behar District Library was also merged with
it. But instead of upgrading the status of the State Library it was
decreased to District Library status. Several demands were made in the
past years but the authorities took no initiatives to improve the
condition. At last, the GCDP took up the issue, Barma said. Though the
NBSL has a vast collection of rare books, magazines and manuscripts
written in Sanskrit, English and Bengali the authorities kept it
neglected as it is situated in Cooch Behar, he alleged.

Cooch Behar ADM (G), C Murugan said he received the memorandum and he
will forward it to the competent authority for consideration.