Nehru Memorial Museum & Library - 1

I read the piece ‘Saving the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library’ (EPW, 27 June 2009) with interest. The idea of seeking to improve problems affecting any institution that draws upon the country’s resources is welcome

I have used the NMML since August 1977. The initial inspiration was provided by those incredibly fascinating MA lectures of Sumit Sarkar. When we were unsuccessful in finding the recommended books in the Delhi University Library, Sumit Sarkar himself asked us to try the NMML. My first visit to the NMML (along with two classmates) was to submit a memorandum to the then director with signatures collected from the students of my batch who had opted for the course “Modern India”. We had resolved to sit on a peaceful dharna outside the library since, in its effort to retain its exclusive character, the NMML had suddenly decided to make it out of bounds for the MA final students of Delhi University. The then director, after initial resistance, eventually relented.