Library as a Sanctuary of Strength | A New Wellness Pathway Unveiled | Wellness Centric Role for Libraries | A Meaningful Celebration of National Library Week
NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
Mangalore, November 19, 2025: Father Muller Medical College, in collaboration with the Karnataka State Library Association, hosted a remarkable celebration of National Library Week. The event became much more than a formal occasion. It evolved into a thoughtful and uplifting exploration of how the library can enrich the mind, energise the body, and support the spirit. The Celebration was presided by Rev Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director, FMCI and graced by Chief Guest Dr S L Kadadevarmath. The event was curated by Dr Janet Dotty Lobo.
A Visionary Voice: Dr Mamatha Pramod Kumar
The highlight of the program was an exceptional presentation by Dr Mamatha Pramod Kumar, a respected scholar and Head of the Department of Library and Information Science at Yenepoya University. She brought a rare clarity to the discussion and presented a refreshing message. She explained that the library is not only a place for information. It is a living centre of wellness that silently supports every learner. Her ability to connect academic insight with human experience made the session unforgettable. She gently opened a new doorway by showing that the library is a place where inner calm, inner balance, and inner strength are nurtured every day.
Reading as a Path to Mindfulness
Dr Mamatha described reading as a natural form of mindfulness. When the mind follows a line of text, it slows down, becomes attentive, and remains present. She explained how bibliotherapy helps students find emotional clarity and comfort. Her message was simple but powerful. A library does not heal with medicine. It heals with silence, reflection, and gentle expansion of thought. Her PPT was Colourful and brilliant.
Design That Supports Healthy Study
She highlighted the physical care offered by the library. Good lighting, thoughtful seating, and calm spaces help reduce strain and support healthy posture. Even walking between shelves becomes a small moment of physical refreshment. In this view, the library becomes both a mental and physical sanctuary that protects the learner from digital fatigue. (Editorial Note: Reading in mobile is a Roller Coster whereas reading in the library is a walk on an escalator in a city mall.)
The Rise of the Global Wellness Library
Dr Mamatha shared inspiring examples from international universities where libraries have grown into complete wellness hubs. Meditation rooms, reflection spaces, art corners, and gentle activity zones have become part of the library experience. She reminded the audience that wellness does not reduce academic performance. It increases focus, clarity, and joy in learning.
Librarians as Guides of Inner Growth
She redefined the role of the librarian as a mentor who supports emotional and digital wellbeing. By guiding students to credible sources and teaching them to handle information with responsibility, librarians help reduce confusion and protect the mind from overload. Dr Mamatha honoured the profession by showing its silent power in shaping balanced and compassionate learners.
Books That Build the Inner Self
The session ended with a thoughtful list of books, each selected to nourish emotional maturity, personal discipline, and gentle growth. It encouraged every student to start a personal journey toward a more centred and confident life. The knowledge behind the selection of books is truly fantastic. A student or even faculty who master the books presented will sure make a career filled with joy and happiness.
A Brilliant Event at Father Muller Medical College
The event was beautifully coordinated by Dr Janet Dotty Lobo with the support of Rev Fr Dr Michael Ligory Santhumayor, Dr Antony Sylvan DSouza, Dr Shekara H P, and Dr John J S Martis. The entire celebration reflected the commitment of Father Muller Medical College to inspire students not only to succeed in academics but also to grow as strong, peaceful, and compassionate human beings.
This National Library Week did not merely honour books. It honoured the inner life of every learner. Through the vision of Dr Mamatha Pramod Kumar, the library was seen not as a silent room but as a radiant centre of wellness. It is a place where the student learns to think, to breathe, to rest, and to rise.
