Welcome Back ,our o'l Staff !!

The Staff..do I need to tell names?!

More Photos from SVL !

Members attending the program on 23rd june'08



The Brand New Collection of SVL, displayed



Any Takers ?!



The MOU Signed

The Sidney Sheldon


Here are a few more pics , to make you feel nostalgic and happy ! Do visit the library, as soon as u can to catch all the fun!:)

BCL is now 'SVL'

Mr.Rod Pryde and Mr.M.M Upadhyaya

I am very happy to tell u, the protest we members did to save this library has worked successfully ! And, we have got our results also. It soothing to the ear , so hear it again ! Our Library BCL is re-opening from 25th june 2008 ie. tomorrow but this time it'll be known as SVL. This Library is undertaken by School Education Deppt. Of M.P Govt.

Yesterday ,23rd june 2008 an MOU ( Memorandum Of Understanding ) got signed between the BCL Head ,Rod Pryde and Principal Secretary(School Education) M.M Upadhyay.Which means, that BCL has given his fixtures n furnitures , books, DVDs, CDs everything except the I.T software.

The occasion was marked by presence of members, who were very happy to be back home ,their second home -This Library. Here I am sharing some photos with u ,to enjoy and realise that our efforts , co-operation has worked and given back our library

On our behalf , I'd like to give special mention to media ,without whom this protest would'nt have gone that far .

We are thankful to the print and electronic media for their support n expressing our problems n feelings to the people at large.

BCL , Trivandrum moves to High Court

The news is surprising and pleasing for the members of BCL. The BCL in Trivandrum was also declared to be closed on 21 feb 2008. They have protested all through and got support from there C.M as well. Today, the Hindu newspaper has got the news regarding the BCL Trivandrum moving to the H.C to save the British Library closure. Here's the link http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/22/stories/2008012256632200.htm

The book lovers at Trivandrum have set an example for us. Hopefully,this library will be saved.

Suggest your views and opinion about this and to save our Library too!

Met the C.M

The 5000 members of the British Library ,Bhopal ,on 21 Jan 2008 ,Monday ,met with the Chief Minister Of M.P ,Mr.Shivraj Singh Chauhan .In regard to help the members to save the British Library,Bhopal.

The C.M met us and heard our problem.He showed a concern for us and made us believe that he will not let this Library shut , as he got to know it will be closed on 28 feb 2008. He has told us some action will be taken and he will make sure this library, which provides the entire state the benefit of valuable books,DvDs etc.

The Save BCL Committee , expects a positive result will come after the meet with the C.M. And, once again we request the C.M from all the members of BCL and from the book lovers to help us save this treasure .

Candle Light Protest held

On 23 Dec 2007, Sunday at 6 pm outside the BCL ,Candle Light Demonstration was held. Members expressed there sadness and grief by lightining these candles.

The Save British Library Campaign was marked by a Candle light protest. The protest was silent and peaceful. A large number of the library members lighted candles in front of the Library to protest against the closure of the Library which is only one of itskind in the whole state.

After yesterday's demonstration the members have decided to carry forward the protest to save the library.

Save BCL

Proposal from Trivandrum BCL

This blog is doing wonders! Ok, lets get real.

As you all must have got the news BCL at Trivandrum is also at its closure.People in Trivandrum are also protesting to save their BCL.There,the Chief Minister has come forward to help them.The BCL in Trivandrum is said to have 6000 members and they are just crazy about BCL like us.

Recently, I have been approached by a person who is leadind the protest in Trivandrum. This is the address of their website , www.saveourbritishlibrary.org Mr.Krishna ,is the name of the person. And, he has a suggestion to amalgamate this protest and raise our voice together to save THE BCLs.

Please , members air your views here about this suggestion so that we can go for furthur talk with Mr.Krishna.

Signature Campaining Stats!

The Committe is doing its great job. Here are the statistics of the number of singature campaning done as of now:-

DSYW Academy,T.T Nagar Stadium -206 Signatures done - Mr.Gaurav Tiwari (Representative)

Hindi Authors,Nirala Colony - 78 Signatures done -Radio Popkorn (Representative)

RGTU Principle and Professors - 45 Letters +Signatures - Mr.Chaitanya (Representative)

Professors,MVM College - 87 Signatures

Also, this campaining is started in schools and colleges of Indore City -2000 Signatures+ Ms.Meenakshi (Representative)

P.S: All members of BCL are requested to get more Signature from people those who support that BCL should not closed.

'Save BCL' Committee formed

On 16 Dec 2007 ,Sunday, meeting was held at 12:00 noon outside the British Library .Many students from schools and colleges like T.I.T , Nutan ,Anand Vihar were present for the meeting with senior members like Mrs. Pandey, Ms.Meenakshi Natrajan,Mrs. Tripathi,Mrs.Bhalla et al.

The main motive of this meeting was to decide the furthur plan of action. Meeting got started with Sikander Malik's inspiring speech ,followed by Meenakshi Natrajan's (Congress Party) suggestions and the help she can provide for stationary etc. Also, she has written letter to UPA Chairman ,Mrs. Sonia Gandhi asking for help to save BCL.

Later in the meeting , a committee of 8 members was formed to SAVE BCL.The reason of this committee was to get senior members suggestions and ideas ,so that things can go wisely.Before the committee was formed ,Ms. Vijeta Shrivastava and Mr. Sikander Malik were leading it.

The name of the committee members are as:-

1. Ms.Meenakshi Natrajan
2. Mrs.Shubhra Tripathi
3. Mrs Sunella Bhalla
4. Mr.Ravi Lamiya
5. Mr.Sikander Malik
6. Ms.Vijeta Shrivastava
7. Mrs.Amita Singh
8. Mrs.Rajni Pandey

The Committee has decided to gear up the Singature Campaning first and then start candle light protest,to save BCL.

Meeting Declared on 16 DEC '07

Kids, joining the protest.

Reading Voyages, Harry Potter fancy dress competition , Quiz Contest and all activities taken by BCL for children are memorable not only to elders but to the children also. Schools like Campion , St. Joseph Girls, St.JOseph Co-ed, Carmel ,St. Mary's had most of their students as BCL members.Who have been active in all the activities taken out by BCL. Kids, won't you miss all that fun? Now, in vacations where will you go to read and meet your friends?

We know you have realised this and thus coming forward actively to join us, in saving Our BCL. PLease,do come to Library on 16 Dec at 12:00 noon. You are the jewels of the Library!

To surprise others, school and college students are coming forward to put up banners and posters .Many have made charts and have put up. And,more participation is required.Keep doing the good work kidos! Cheers!

A Class 5th student submitted this chart

Banners and Posters

A Child expressed his sadness. And, making appeal to save it.

Banners outside the BCL ,Bhopal

As the news is spreading wide,about BCL closure and the protest being taken out.Members and Non-members are coming to library, where the protest is being taken out. People have expressed their grief, anger and sadness with these posters and banners. This kind of support is really an inspiration to humanity .

Protest, in its height!

Here is paper cliping from HT BHOPAL Live. Taken on 9 dec 2007 ,when BCL members got together for a meeting and to protest.

Now you can realise, that a voice raised together does make an effect. Spread the awarness about BCL Closure and the protest being taken out. Ask people to join us and help saving BCL!

Love BCL .Don't You?

By Invitation -IV

By :- Mr.Aayush Surana
MANIT -Ist year student

The British Library has always played an integral part in the lives of the people of Bhopal.The decision for its closing down is extremely shocking. The kind of ambience and atmosphere it provides is unmatched in Bhopal. For the past 42 years it has been a constant source for treasuries of Books, DVDs, CDs, Periodicals and Audio Books. We, the people of Bhopal have enormous affinity and affection for this library. For years this has been a place which one can always look forward to visit in times of distress as well as joy. One could always remember “If there is no place to turn to, there’s always BCL!”. Now the British Council has decided to take away our most prideful asset and has left us orphaned. They must understand that BCL is not simply a library for us, BUT is something which has always been a part of our lives and with the course of time is something which we consider as our own...much like a friend or mentor……All the people of Bhopal must come together and save our beloved BCl.Folks think about it – It’s the only place which we can be proud of!

By Invitation-III

By:- Mr.Nawal Kishor Sharma
HT Copy Editor


The agonizing news that BL will soon be shut down stares us in the face. But the collective effort to swell the chorus of protest is as much heartening as it is shocking to think that the library is going to be a thing of the past soon. At a time when book-reading habit is waning, it is all the more heartbreaking that a library igniting love of books is going to be closed. The place was everyone's favourite not because it has good carpets, downy sofas or air-conditioned comfort, but because here people read, contemplated, took notes, got newer insights and exchanged ideas. Wish and pray the proposed closure does not really happen. Wish the decision is not final. Wish there is light at the end of the tunnel. I say Amen. And I can hear many other voices saying the same with me. We shall overcome.

Passion Beyond Reason!

The Protest, done by the members of BCL has worked and has started yielding result, also.Thus, our passion for BCL is very much visible. What we all need to do ,convince ourselves to dedicate some of our time and cooperation ,for the protest and win it. Just think, if our joint efforts save our BCL we will not only save our future but the future of upcoming genre also. Its better to magnify things, if nothing is understood!

We have got a proposal from Sompal Shastri to provide BCL help of Rs. 1 Crore. Also, one of the state minister has asked for the entire report and then only he will take actions required. So, there lies a hope.. and this can be encashed only ,when we keep going with our efforts and more people join us.

We thank, all the members who drop their views and suggestions ,here with a motivation dose.Highly Commendable.Please , maintaine the support till we win it!

By Invitation -II

By :- Ms. Shubhra Dastidar
Proffessor



It was very shocking to see the newspaper on Thursday morning,6thDecember,2007.announcing the closure of British Library.Over the last 40 years ,British Library has become a part and parcel of our lives-developed acquaintances,friends, associates,and a social circle through its members.British Library has opened doors to the world of knowledge,be it any subject in every sphere-the great potentials one can reach out to is unspeakable .From A-ARITHMETIC --------------------to---------Z-ZOOLOGY there have been untapped resources through books,netlinks,web- access, audio-visual aids,CD's & DVD's.You name it and you find an avenue- a path carefully to tread on and reach your goal.This closure is like a TSUNAMI that has come from nowhere,and closed the doors to knowledge permanently to students and coming generations- not just to speak about members who've been associated with the library for years.You've made an abyss which can never be filled by the closure of this library .SAVE BRITISH LIBRARY-ITS THE PRIDE OF BHOPAL

By Invitation -I

# This is the first invitation writing we got from one of the regular BCL member.

By:- Mrs Suneela Bhalla
Voice and Accent Trainer

The world over people are lamenting the loss of the reading habit.The Internet and Television have made a place in children's imaginations.The British Council Libraries with branches all over the country have become a part of treasured traditions in many familieswhere successive generations become members of BCL.Through my school and College yearswherever my father,an Air Force officer, was posted we looked for and became membersOf BCL.After I became a mother I was proud to pass on the privilege of becoming a member of BCL to my boys.As a teacher and Voice & Accent Trainer I recommendreading to all my students.My sons enjoy their weekends at BCL and refuse to go out of townfor summer vacation because they have to participate in the various workshops and reading voyages.Whenever I feel low BCL is my favourite refuge -spending a couple of hours in the library refreshes and rejuvenates me.All of a sudden a bureaucratic decision plans to snatch away my second homefrom me.Where will we get the books and the ambience that BCL provides? The decision makers are not emotionally involved to BCL as we are.

Why was the opinion of the members not considered? My fervent APPEAL to ICCR and The British High Commission is to take back this HIGH HANDED,AUTOCRATICdecision.

Calling, 'By Invitation'

This is a section ,that we are starting from today for the members of the BCL, to express their views and suggestions to save BCL . All other members ,who are intrested to contribute their articles on the same issue are invited.

Everyday, on this blog a member's article will be posted. And, their suggestion and ideas to save BCL will be considered.The context, should not be VULGUR and should NOT hurt the sentiments of anyone.Do write in your Full Name , Membership Card No. , what you do. And , send it to this address : [vijeta.peace@gmail.com]

P.S: All seniors members, kids and the youth ,invited to write.

Meeting Held Today

As decided by,the 'Save BCL Club' . A meeting was held outside the library to take other member's views and opinions. People were peeved,emotional, and wanted this library to live for more years.

In addition, people from the print media and electronic media were also there and came to forward to support us. Thanks to them.And, we hope they will help us till the end.

But, we are very disappointed with the 'BCL lovers' who did not turn up in the meeting,today. Only, 70-80 people out of 5000 members came in the meeting.Now,do you think handful of people can save your BCL? If there is a possibility, that BCL can survive then its all because of its members , who knows what importance does it hold in their lives and families.And ,their support will save it.You remember the saying, " All for one,one for all". Yes, we need unity! U.N.I.T.Y , I guess that's loud enough? We would humbly, request all the members to come forward and be a part of this team BCL.

Also, next Sunday ie. 16 DEC 2007 ,we have again conducted a meeting at 12:00 noon .So, please do make your presence.

Coming to the conclusion of today's meeting ,we had Signature Campaigning ; banners were put up ; discussion among the members for the solutions , also in next few days we will go to the C.M and other the authorities ,to help us out and find a solution to our problem.