Gandhian literature to be available in State libraries soon

The collected works of Mahatma Gandhi is a 100-volume series, each about 500 pages long. In what is perhaps the biggest multi-volume project in the world, these volumes constitute Gandhi’s writings, speeches, letters, interviews, and telegrams.

A senior official from the Directorate of Public Libraries, which comes under the School Education Department, told DT Next on Monday that quality books that highlight the diverse cultural heritage, ranging from history, art and culture, land and people, flora and fauna to biographies of national leaders and reformers of India besides children’s literature are currently available.

“Apart from this, there is a large treasure of Gandhian literature which has been published by the publication division as Gandhian works of seminal importance. Therefore, it was felt that this book should be available in all public libraries in the State,” he said. The official added that the works in the book cover the period 1884-1948 in a strictly chronological order, a good sixty-year chunk of Gandhi’s active public life.

According to the official, the objective of the series is to reproduce Gandhi’s actual words as far as possible.

“Gandhi’s writings, speeches, letters, interviews and telegrams reveal the richness of his mind and also reflect, in volume after volume, the mood and temper of the times illuminating every aspect of modern India’s political and social history and aspirations,” he said.

He also pointed out that the chief architect of the original series of the Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi was Professor K Swaminathan, who worked on it along with a team of editors. “The entire collection took about 38 years in compilation and is over 55,000 pages in length,” he added. The official said that though public libraries are equipped with various books on Gandhi, it was felt that this series of volumes will attract readers.

He said the book will also be added to the libraries of State-owned universities. Educational institutions and public libraries are given a discount of 10 per cent if the book is purchased. At present, there are 4,622 public libraries functioning across the state.