KATHMANDU: People who borrowed books from the Pashupati Library based at the Pashupati area here have not returned important books for 20 years now.
The library has a collection of rare and important books on Eastern philosophy. The library has a collection of 5,000 books.
The library was set up by Nepal Ved Vidyashram in 2031 BS. It was later merged with the library run by the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT). PADT is now running the library as well as the Ved Vidyashram Sanskrit School since 2056 BS.
PADT Executive Director Dr Ghanashyam Khatiwada said he has the information that 200 important books borrowed by the PADT former officials have not been returned.
Dr Khatiwada said that the PADT is planning to build an attractive and resourceful library at the Pashupati area.
“We will collect the important books going to the doorstep of the former officials and develop the existing library into a model one,” he said, adding that the library will also cater to the needs of the students of the Ved Vidyashram.
According to him, arrangements would also be made so that the devotees coming to the Pashupati area can also read books in the library staying there for some time.
The library is there at the Pashupati area, but it rarely opened due to the shortage of employees. PADT has now also managed the staffs to run the library.
Manoj Ghimire, both a student and a teacher at the Ved Vidyashram, says the library has rarely opened in the last 20 years he is with the Sanskrit School. He said the PADT has been managing the library since 2056 BS, and it remained closed for most of the time as the few staffs that were assigned to manage the library did not regularly report for work.
Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visit the Pashupati area where the Pashupatinath temple is located. Pashupatinath is another name for Lord Shiva who is worshipped as the lord of the nation.
There is lack of a library for those devotees visiting the Pashupati area and interested in reading rare and resourceful books on the eastern philosophy, Pashupatinath and allied topics. If the Pashupati library could be upgraded and developed into such facility, it would be another feather in the hat of PADT.
The library boasts of important books as the various Vedas, the Shiva Purana, Nepali Nighantu and others on Eastern philosophy.
It is a matter of regret that a library that has rare and important books on Eastern philosophy has not been operated and is rarely opened in the present context when the concept of e-library has been promoted in the urban areas these days.
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