iNDICA News Bureau-
The Edison Library, in partnership with India’s consulate in New Jersey and the Edison, NJ, chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian origin (GOPIO-Edison), hosted the India Collection Launch, an event to donate a large collection of Indian books to be made available through public libraries in Middlesex County, April 11.
The event was sponsored by the Sabinsa Corporation based in East Windsor and supported by a variety of literary and cultural organizations based in or operating in the U.S.
The launch was well attended, with India’s Consul General Randhir Kumar Jaiswal and Consul for Community Affairs AK Vijayakrishnan as guests of honor. The audience had several Indian American community leaders and prominent members of the diaspora.
Library director Allan Kleiman said he was excited by the collection and these books would be issued to anyone in Middlesex County.
His remarks were followed by statements from library president Patricia Massey and GOPIO international chairman Dr Thomas Abraham, who spoke of the organization’s collaboration with the government of India for this project.
Consul General Jaiswal spoke of the vibrant library system in America that helps to spread knowledge and makes it possible for the diaspora to access rare Indian literature.
GOPIO vice-president Ram Gadhvi, who is also chairman of the Gujarati Literary Academy, contributed over 60 Gujarati books to this initiative.
GOPIO-Edison president Pallavi Belwariar spoke as well, outlining the preferences of the diaspora and the plans to further the scope of the project to reach more Indians in diverse ways.
Edison Town Council Vice-President Joyce Ship-Freeman, a former literary coach, complimented the Indian consulate, GOPIO-Edison and the library for the initiative.
The event and the actions of the community were also recognized by Edison Councilman Ajay Patil, Piscataway Councilman Kapil Shah, Pradeep ‘Peter’ Kothari and Dr Sudhir Parikh, a recipient of the government of India’s Padma Shri award.
Over 300 books were collected, of which the consulate contributed 140 while community organizations, including GOPIO, the Gujarati Literary Academy, TV Asia, Assam Sahitya Sabha and Zakir Husain Circle, donated 110. A full house of about 120 people attended the event.
GOPIO is collecting old Indian classic books and contemporary books in all Indian languages from the community to donate to other libraries. Those who want to donate may contact GOPIO at 203-329-8010 or send an e-mail to gopio@optonline.net.