Delhi’s century-old Hardayal Library to be restored, 8,000 books to be preserved

Out of the total budget of Rs 3 crore, Rs 50 lakh will be spend on preservation of books and the equal amount has been set aside for their digitalisation.

Hurdles in the way of conservation of Delhi’s oldest library Hardayal Municipal Public Library near Chandni Chowk have been cleared with the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) handing over the task of preparing a detail project report for its restoration to Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).

As reported by HT last month, the library, which was established in 1862, has not purchased a single book due to the financial crunch. (Saumya Khandelwal//HT PHOTO)

Apart from its cosmetic restoration work, INTACH has also planned preservation of rare books and their digitalisation. The library possesses a rare historical collection of 8, 000 books including Travaile Begvenne’s ‘Relation of some year’ printed in 1634, a handwritten Koran by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, and Persian translation of Mahabharata by Abul Raizi.

As reported by HT last month, the library, which was established in 1862, has not purchased a single book due to the financial crunch.

Hardayal Library is in for a revamp, where its collection of books will be digitised. (Saumya Khandelwal/HT PHOTO)

The decision came after much persuasion and intervention of Delhi lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung. With the plaster peeling off, the century-year old building has been crying for urgent attention for long as roof and walls have developed cracks, leading seepages and leakages.

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has agreed to shell out Rs3 crore for the project. “Initially, provision for funds for structural restoration was made. Later, it was decided to take measures to prevent books from further damage. If we don’t do the needful to preserve these rare books, no purpose is served. A library is nothing without books,” said Shobha Vijender, library’s secretary.

Out of the total budget, Rs50 lakh will be spend on preservation of books and the equal amount has been set aside for their digitalisation.

Vijender said the management body had entrusted the task of preparing a detail project report (DPR) for preservation of the building and the collection of rare books to INTACH.

“They are likely to submit the report soon after which the tendering for engaging experts for conservation will start the work. We are expecting the DPR by the end of this month and the entire project may take at least two-three years time for completion,” she said, adding, that the agency recently gave a proposal in this regard and the management committee has also given its go ahead.

Though, the library is an autonomous body, its financial requirement is taken care of by the NDMC. The mayor of the corporation is the ex-officio president of the managing committee of the library.

The library committee has also planned a month-long events calendar to celebrate its centennial year. The first round of three days celebration will start from Wednesday in which authors such as Ashok Chakradhar and Vartika Nanda along with Union minister Smriti Irani, Dr Mahesh Sharma and Dr Harsh Vardhan will be present. Rock bank Indian Ocean will also perform at the event scheduled at Shanti Desai Cricket Ground, Kauria Pul, near Chandni Chowk.