Reliability, dependability and credibility of information” is the “Hallmark of this Government”. Following this vision, India Year Book 2017 provided a treasure trove of knowledge with authentic information about India, surveying the country from the prism of accuracy. It was essential to bring out books, journals, magazines in all National languages in order to reach out to new generation. The Publications Division provided the ideal platform to inculcate the reading habits amongst the people by publishing books on diverse aspects of Indian Panorama and Heritage Minister for Information and Broadcasting Venkaiah Naidu mentioned this at the release function of Annual Reference India2017/Bharat 2017 and launch of online digital library by Publications Division.
The Minister while releasing the electronic version of the Annual India Year Book, said “The e-version provides latest technical features and conformed to the best international standards. The e-book has a variety of reader-friendly features like searchable content, referencing, and is priced at 25 per cent less than the print books.” He added that taking forward the Government’s digital push the Publications Division has converted over 750 books into digital format, and is poised to meet the 12th Plan Scheme target of digitising 1000 books by the end of March 2017. Naidu also launched the Online Digital library created by Publications Division which has a repository of over 750 books, with a wide range of titles that was available for free browsing to visitors at DPD Book Gallery.
He also emphasised the importance of digital way of life and its benefits. He mentioned that digital transfer of knowledge, digital transfer of currency would ensure arresting of black money and corruption in the country.
Naidu also gave an overview of the activities and initiatives taken by the Ministry of I&B and its media units during the two weeks Swachhta Pakhwada for the period 16th to 31st January. Ministry of I&B had proactively planned a theme based Swachhta Calendar for period August 2016 to July 2017 to give a thrust to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. The Ministry expanded the concept of Swachhta to bring out innovative ideas to not only give importance to office cleanliness but also to weed out old files, furniture’s, clear old court cases, pending files, service records, inter-ministerial and government communication apart from identifying old, unused items that can be auctioned.
Colonel Rajyavardhan Rathore, Minister of State for I&B, Ajay Mittal, Secretary I&B, Parameswaran Iyer, Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and senior officers from Ministry were also present during the occasion.