Shillong, Nov. 9: The 10th convention on promotion of library automation and networking in the northeastern region (PLANNER 2016) began at the North Eastern Hill University (Nehu) here today.

Organised by Information and Library Network Centre, in collaboration with Nehu, PLANNER 2016 was spearheaded by the centre with an aim to improve academic libraries in the northeastern region.

Former Meghalaya home minister, Robert Garnette Lyngdoh, who is now the vice-chancellor of Martin Luther Christian University, Shillong, inaugurated the convention.

This is the second time that Nehu is hosting the convention since the first convention in November, 2003. It was a coincidence that Lyngdoh, who inaugurated the first convention in 2003, inaugurated it again today.

The three-day convention on the theme Disruptive Innovations for Libraries: Adopt, Adapt and Evolve will conclude on Friday.

In his inaugural address, Lyngdoh, while talking about the importance of library, said with education undergoing a change, libraries have to adapt to changes in order to meet the requirements of scholars.

On rich traditional knowledge of the Northeast, Lyngdoh underlined the need to properly document the traditional knowledge to give the region a rightful place in the information data found across the country. He also said information should not being misused and abused to benefit a few at the expense of the locals. Lyngdoh observed that the youth today were more inclined towards computers and mobile-generated information and rarely visit the library. He stressed that libraries have to be accessible and become useful through the use of communication and technology.

"There should a bridge between information available in libraries and the industries as well as the bridge between the youth and libraries. The full potential of libraries as a repository of knowledge and information should be fully tapped so that 360 degrees' accessibility is achieved to meet common people's needs and objectives," said Lyngdoh.

Other speakers included Nehu vice-chancellor S.K. Srivastava and the Centre's director Jagdish Arora.

Over 350 participants from the Northeast and across the country are participating in the convention. More than 55 research papers submitted by authors across the country, including abstracts and posters, are being presented.

Governor's stand: Meghalaya governor V. Shanmuganathan has lauded the decision of the Narendra Modi-led government to do away with the circulation of the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations.

"This is a dynamic decision taken by the government of India. It can curb financing of terrorism through the proceeds of fake Indian currency notes. This can help to eliminate black money and corruption," he said.