Kendrapara: In an attempt to enlighten the rural youth, the Kendrapara district administration is driving access to knowledge by setting up rural libraries in each Gram Panchayats in the district.
As many as 50 such rural library and infotainment centers at different Gram Panchayats have been completed and another 200 are under construction, which are expected to be completed within one month.
Spelling out his thrust to construct at least one library in every Gram Panchayat under MGNREGS, soft spoken Kendrapara Collector Samarth Verma said that library and information centres could play a key role in accelerating socio-economic development of rural areas by providing information and communication services to the people.
The rural libraries are being constructed in convergence mode. Out of total estimated cost of Rs. 7 Lakh, Rs. 5 lakhs is being spent through Mahatma Gandhi NREGS and rest 2 lakh has been provide by 14th Finance Commission (CFC) fund.
Verma, an IIT Kanpur Graduate also sees rural library as a tool of social transformation.
Rural library can be knowledge hub for the local community and should be strengthened and developed to facilitate best services to the general public of the community, he added.
Speaking to Thenewsroom.co.in, Verma said, “The rural library plays a vital role in positive use of leisure of the rural folks. It will serve as a centre of recreation, centre for culture, and centre for sustainable self-education. It should render library service free to all section of the community” These libraries will also play a significant role for the awareness of the general people, he further added.
Meanwhile the people of Nahuni Gram Panchayat under Rajkanika Block where one such library has been constructed have appreciated the Collector’s initiatives.
“Well-furnished chairs, tables and television set have also been installed in these rural libraries with at par with any other private libraries. All kind of vernacular newspapers and English dailies have also been made available in the library which is constructed in our GP, said a Narahari Pradhan, a villager.
Appreciating the initiatives, a school teacher said, “These libraries would also help in preparing competitive exams for the local youths”.
Meanwhile the district administration has decided to manage it by panchayats and local high school.
These libraries would be managed by panchayats and local high school”, Verma told while promising to make it a social movement.
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