MARGAO: For years, a treasure trove of 1,500 plus old Portuguese books in the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) library is craving for attention due to excess moisture, dust and attack by insects.
This rare collection of books such as the Portuguese encyclopaedias has fallen into obscurity in the municipal library.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Sources informed that nearly 50-odd Portuguese books including those on law and literary values have been disposed and more are to be discarded in coming days, as no attention has been given to preserve the treasure of knowledge. However, it is expected that the new committee of councillors will take up the issue seriously.
However, after the centenary celebration in 2014, the section named ‘Rare Books-Portuguese Book’ has fallen into obscurity. Excess moisture and dust besides attacks by insects have damaged the treasure.
The section at the corner of the library has a treasure of various Portuguese books such as law, philosophy, history and psychology, besides those on medicines and literary values.
Besides several others, a book by Joao F Da T Menezes titled ‘Aggravo Crime’ and published in 1897, ‘A Nacao Christa da Damocracia’, a book on politics by Prof Jose Toniolo (published in Porto, 1904), ‘A Capoeira de Joaninha’ by Dulilio Joao Coelho Marques, published in Lisboa, a book on education, a book written by Estado do India on law need urgent attention.
“People do come for the reference purpose, besides many college students visit the Portuguese book section. However, due to excess moisture and dust books are damaged very badly”, sources informed.
It is pertinent to note that the inventory of these Portuguese books was prepared on the instruction of then Chief Officer Ajit Panchwadkar. However, the efforts went in vain following his transfer. It’s shocking to note that the MMC’s Library Committee failed preserve these Portuguese books.
Speaking to Herald, MMC Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes said he has a plan to preserve the library’s Portuguese books. “These books are a treasure to our library and I have decided to do the hardbound cover to all these books”, he said and admitted that these books need special attention.
However, the glass cupboards would be the best solution to prevent moisture and dust, sources informed.
A few years ago nearly 50 books, which got damaged, were disposed. Later, another 50 were discarded from the library. Besides, a treasure trove of nearly 300-odd Portuguese books is on the verge of getting destroyed due to non-maintenance.
Shirish Borkar, a book lover from Margao said, “It is unfortunate that the council has failed to understand the importance of rare books. Actually, this rare treasure of Portuguese books is the source of knowledge and research. MMC should hand over those books to Central Library or preserve them in good condition”.
