Despite unrest, Imphal book fair draws crowds

Imphal: The ongoing 30th edition of Imphal book fair, one of the biggest literary events of the state, is a comforting site after over seven months of unrest as a large number of bibliophiles thronged the venue in the premises of State Central Library (SCL) and Manipur State Archive in Imphal.Chief minister N Biren Singh urged all to visit the fair before it ends on Sunday and celebrate the joy of reading and embrace the knowledge waiting to be discovered. Taking to Facebook, Biren wrote, “A book fair not only instills reading habits to the youths but also provides the readers with an opportunity to interact with authors and publishers of books, etc.”Organized by the State Central Library, a unit of Manipur art and culture department under the aegis of Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation, Kolkata, the 10-day long fair kicked off on December 15. Due to the ongoing situation, the number of stalls has been reduced to around 41 from the earlier 100 plus. Also this time, only six firms from outside the state are participating, compared to nearly eighty firms earlier.Notwithstanding the decrease of the ongoing fair’s size, there is no letup in the footfalls of visitors. Unlike the previous years, most of the visitors, this time, are young college and school students coming from different parts of the state.Chief librarian of SCL, Rajkumari Urmila Devi said the library movement in the state has not lost its vigour. “It is true that there has been erosion of library culture at the grassroots level. But I strongly feel that once this gap is overcome, the course correction of library movement will be easy,” she said.The SCL has a tumultuous history and has come a long way. It was the first public library started by the state government, initiated as a district library in 1958, before being upgraded to the status of State Central Library, she said, adding that Imphal bookfair is one of its most important events.

How to create shared libraries in Google Photos

Google Photos shared libraries enable collaboration by creating a collaborative space where you can share and edit photos and videos with a specific person. Here's how to set it up: On your mobile device, open the Google Photos app, tap the hamburger menu, select "Share your library," and choose the person to share with. Decide what photos to share, such as all photos, photos of specific people, or photos from a specific date. Tap "Done" to create the shared library. On your computer, go to the Google Photos website, sign in, and follow the same steps to create the shared library.

Chatras Itkhori temple plans library on campus

Mandir Nyas Samiti of the ancient Ma Bhadrakali temple in Itkhori has decided to start a library on the temple campus. The library will stock competitive, religious, and other useful books. A caretaker will be hired for the library. The temple campus has an earmarked library building that will be made functional soon. The temple committee has also planned to plant 300 fragrant flowers in the campus ahead of the three-day Itkhori Mahotsav.

Missile destroyer 'Imphal' to be commissioned into Indian Navy on December 26

The Imphal, the third Visakhapatnam-class guided-missile destroyer, is set to be commissioned into the Indian Navy on December 26 in Mumbai. Constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) using indigenous DMR 249A steel, it is one of the largest missile destroyers. Equipped with anti-submarine weapons and sensors, including Sonar Humsa NG and torpedo tube launchers, it aims to enhance regional stability in the Indian Ocean. The Imphal is armed with 'Brahmos' and 'Barak-8' missiles, securing India's coastline. This warship is named after the historic city of Imphal, the first capital warship named after a city in the northeastern region.