Mumbai: The Governor of Maharashtra CH Vidyasagar Rao on Saturday (9 April) launched the Centenary Celebrations and the digitalization project of the National Library Bandra. Under the project rare books and manuscripts in Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati and English language will be digitized over a period of time.

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor remarked that digitalization of books facilitates the democratization of knowledge and information and help the Library to reach out to the unreached. He expressed the hope that digitalization will rejuvenate the culture of reading, especially in the young generation.

The Governor said, Mumbai is not just the financial and commercial capital of India, but also the intellectual and cultural capital of the country. He said cultural institutions like the National Library contribute to the evolution of great societies, which eventually produce thought – leaders and achievers.

Observing that the present generation is technology friendly, he felt that public libraries must reflect this change and become modern and youth- friendly spaces. He remarked that business houses and Ganesh Mandals should create, support and sustain libraries and reading rooms.

Bandra MLA Ashish Shelar, President of National Library Atul Mohile, Chairman Dilip Padwal and members were present on the occasion.