Maharashtra: Youth collect 54,000 books to start libraries in rural areas

Maharashtra: Youth collect 54,000 books to start libraries in rural areas

KOLHAPUR: They are book collectors - but for a noble cause. Aware that no schools in the rural areas have a library while children want books other than their texts to read, some youth from Kolhapur started collecting used books to set up libraries in the slum areas of the city as well as remote villages of the district.

These youth (chiefly from All India Students Federation) - namely Prashant Ambi, Aarti Redekar, Krushna Panse, Nitin Dhale, Dildar Mujawar, Mukund Kadam Dheeraj Kathare - first shared their idea with Uma Pansare, wife of Comrade Govind Pansare, who supported them by donating books herself.

After this, they contacted potential book donors and also appealed to all Marathi book lovers to donate used books for the social cause. These students also campaigned on social media with hashtags #EkGharEkPustak #SelfieWith Book following which a lot of people couriered them used books. The campaign, which has been going on for the last two years, has generated 54,000 books. The youths have also collected books on competitive exams.

They set up their first library in Mukt Sainik Vasahat, Kolhapur, which was inaugurated by JNU student leader Kanhaiyya Kumar. Others are situated at Ukhalu village under Shahuwadi taluka and at Bambarwadi village under Panhala taluka of the district.

These youth are planning to open libraries in 18 villages and have appealed to everyone to donate.

Source | https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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