Books, Android TV, computers with internet – Karnataka's rural libraries are pillar of social transformation
Books, Android TV, computers with internet – Karnataka's rural libraries are pillar of social transformation

By Pratyaksh Srivastava

At a time when the pandemic led to the shutdown of educational institutions, the Karnataka government launched a programme to revamp public libraries in rural areas. Over 1.8 million students in the state have received free membership of these rural libraries that are equipped with the latest technology.

At a time when the pandemic led to the shutdown of educational institutions, the Karnataka government launched a programme to revamp public libraries in rural areas. Over 1.8 million students in the state have received free membership of these rural libraries that are equipped with the latest technology.

The Bansa Community Library, where books and conversations inform the people
The Bansa Community Library, where books and conversations inform the people

By Aishwarya Tripathi

A community library in Bansa village has become a space for conversations, gathering information and reading for pleasure. The library has 1,700 registered members, both adults and children from the neighbouring villages in Hardoi district, Uttar Pradesh.

A community library in Bansa village has become a space for conversations, gathering information and reading for pleasure. The library has 1,700 registered members, both adults and children from the neighbouring villages in Hardoi district, Uttar Pradesh.

A million dreams are taking shape in Karnataka’s rural libraries
A million dreams are taking shape in Karnataka’s rural libraries

By Nidhi Jamwal

Karnataka’s rural libraries are a gateway to several opportunities. As many as 5,573 village panchayat libraries have sprung up across the state, with more than 3.5 million children registered with these centres. These free libraries are opening the doors to a better life for young people from economically weaker backgrounds.

Karnataka’s rural libraries are a gateway to several opportunities. As many as 5,573 village panchayat libraries have sprung up across the state, with more than 3.5 million children registered with these centres. These free libraries are opening the doors to a better life for young people from economically weaker backgrounds.

An MBA Graduate From Kolkata Runs A Community Library For Kids In The Spiti Valley
An MBA Graduate From Kolkata Runs A Community Library For Kids In The Spiti Valley

By Laraib Fatima Warsi

Ruchi Dhona, a 37-year-old from West Bengal, quit her corporate job to introduce reading habits to the inhabitants of Lahaul and Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh. She has set up a free community library — ‘Let’s Open A Book’ — to bring about a book revolution in this remote corner of the country.

Ruchi Dhona, a 37-year-old from West Bengal, quit her corporate job to introduce reading habits to the inhabitants of Lahaul and Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh. She has set up a free community library — ‘Let’s Open A Book’ — to bring about a book revolution in this remote corner of the country.

Library on a Cart
Library on a Cart

By Gurvinder Singh

Masti ki Pathshala is a unique initiative by a social activist in Kolkata, West Bengal, to get children to read books again. A cart loaded with 300 books in English, Hindi, Bengali and Urdu trundles into Rajabazar where children from nearly 400 families enjoy its benefits, free of cost.

Masti ki Pathshala is a unique initiative by a social activist in Kolkata, West Bengal, to get children to read books again. A cart loaded with 300 books in English, Hindi, Bengali and Urdu trundles into Rajabazar where children from nearly 400 families enjoy its benefits, free of cost.

Libraries of Opportunities in Bihar
Libraries of Opportunities in Bihar

By Rahul Jha

There are community libraries functioning in 45 blocks in small towns and villages in Bihar. Jeevika, an initiative of the state government to alleviate poverty and enhance the quality of life amongst the rural population, hopes to have libraries up and running in 100 blocks across 32 districts in the state.

There are community libraries functioning in 45 blocks in small towns and villages in Bihar. Jeevika, an initiative of the state government to alleviate poverty and enhance the quality of life amongst the rural population, hopes to have libraries up and running in 100 blocks across 32 districts in the state.

A trip to Mahabaleshwar leads to an unexpected encounter with books, at a hillside village
A trip to Mahabaleshwar leads to an unexpected encounter with books, at a hillside village

By Pankaja Srinivasan

Book lovers find warm and welcoming spots to read in the mountainside village of Bhilar, Maharashtra, where local inhabitants run free libraries out of their homes.

Book lovers find warm and welcoming spots to read in the mountainside village of Bhilar, Maharashtra, where local inhabitants run free libraries out of their homes.

From The Villages in Assam to the Coastal Communities in Tamil Nadu, A Library Network Is Gathering Momentum in India
From The Villages in Assam to the Coastal Communities in Tamil Nadu, A Library Network Is Gathering Momentum in India

By Gaon Connection

The Free Libraries Network covers 180 community libraries managed by over 280 practitioners spread across the country with a mission to make free libraries a matter of right.

The Free Libraries Network covers 180 community libraries managed by over 280 practitioners spread across the country with a mission to make free libraries a matter of right.

From The Villages in Assam to the Coastal Communities in Tamil Nadu, A Library Network Is Gathering Momentum in India
From The Villages in Assam to the Coastal Communities in Tamil Nadu, A Library Network Is Gathering Momentum in India

By Laraib Fatima Warsi

The Free Libraries Network covers 180 community libraries managed by over 280 practitioners spread across the country with a mission to make free libraries a matter of right.

The Free Libraries Network covers 180 community libraries managed by over 280 practitioners spread across the country with a mission to make free libraries a matter of right.

Rural libraries in Kishanganj, Bihar spread education among poor children
Rural libraries in Kishanganj, Bihar spread education among poor children

By Rahul Jha

Known as the most backward and poor district of Bihar, Kishanganj is coming out of the shadows as a library movement takes shape that holds great promise for the many underprivileged children. Saquib Ahmed’s Seemanchal Library Foundation has set up three rural libraries in the district that are daily visited by 200 children, many of whom have never been to school.

Known as the most backward and poor district of Bihar, Kishanganj is coming out of the shadows as a library movement takes shape that holds great promise for the many underprivileged children. Saquib Ahmed’s Seemanchal Library Foundation has set up three rural libraries in the district that are daily visited by 200 children, many of whom have never been to school.

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