https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Let Libraries Light the Way

District Magistrate of Jamtara in Jharkhand, Faiz Ahmed Mumtaz, is on a mission. With a lightning speed, he has been converting old, dilapidated buildings into libraries- the new temples of learning for the people.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Talk about transformation. Jamtara district in Jharkhand was, at one time, known for spreading the illegal “phishing activity’’ – a cybercrime- all over the country. But today, it’s at the forefront of promoting free and accessible education.

This happened when the District Magistrate (DM) of Jamtara, Mr Faiz Ahmed Mumtaz, started an initiative of converting dilapidated buildings in the village panchayats to community libraries.

Appointed as the DM of Jamtara in July this year, Mr Mumtaz is in the process of bringing a much-required change in this backward district. He aims at making 30 such community libraries by the end of the year; and eventually a total of 118 libraries in every village panchayat of the district.

KICKSTARTING THE INITIATIVE

In an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Faiz said “In every village panchayat of Jamtara, there are some government buildings which are not in use or are in disrepair. Therefore, we starting refurbishing these buildings and making community libraries in these premises.”

He added, “As reading and gaining education is not given too much priority in the district, I wanted to create a culture of reading and studying among the youth. The libraries will also benefit students whose studies were affected due to the Covid pandemic.”

The district administration headed by Mr. Faiz kickstarted the initiative in the month of November 2020, when the first community library was inaugurated in Chengadih Panchayat of Jamtara. The library was constructed out of an old abandoned building, with contributions coming from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the general public.

Inaugurated first library at Chengadih Panchayat

Soon, three more libraries were inaugurated in Fatehpur, Kundhit & Nala panchayats, with the convergence of government schemes and public contribution.

Inaugurated three more libraries in the district

Till now, six such libraries have been constructed in the district, the latest two inaugurated in Menjhiya & Chandradhipa Panchayats. The administration plans to construct 30 such libraries by the end of this year.

RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY

Mr. Faiz said, “As other institutions in the district operate from 9 to 5 pm, the libraries have been handed over to the community where they have the freedom to make their own rules for the operation of the library. The committee formed in each panchayat which will be overseen by the Gram Sabha and will manage the libraries. Retired teachers or social activists have been appointed as librarians.”

Meeting with the committee

He added, “Apart from this, an account has been opened for each community library where the contribution from the public will be collected. Provisions are also made to buy books, pay bills, and upgrade a library periodically. After the library is constructed and is made operational, it is handed over to the community, with no involvement thereafter of the district administration.’’

As most people in these village panchayats are seeing such libraries for the first time in their life, there is a feeling of excitement among them. To check the response of people in these villages, some members of the administration went for a random visit and found that a bunch of children were already devouring the books with keen interest!

Administration in an inspection found out that children are already making good use of the library

Ironically, the city which gained popularity for its phishing operations got featured in a Netflix show called ‘Jamtara – Sabka Number Ayega’. That might have been a reality of  Jamtara at one time. Now, officers like Mr Mumtaz are scripting an altogether different, and much more inspiring, story of this place.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
SJVN
Leadership Continuity: Rajendra Prasad Goyal Given Additional Charge as Director (Finance) of SJVN Ltd- Know more about Him
government-of-haryana
Haryana Government Transfers 2 IPS, 13 HPS Officers in Major Police Reshuffle- Check Details
scam
‘Hello, This is IPS Officer Speaking…’: 9th-Pass Youth Tricks Cops in Three States with Fake Voice Scam
Screenshot 2025-07-18 214334
L&T Chairman Mr. S.N. Subrahmanyan’s FY25 Remuneration Jumps Nearly 50% to Rs. 76.25 Crore!
bureaucracy news
Appointments Update: IRS Kommisetty Murlidhar to Join Andhra Govt; Jay Nath Yadav Inducted into IAS
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB)
Indian Overseas Bank Plans Rs. 4,000 Crore Fundraising via QIP; Net Profit Soars 76% in Q1 FY26
Paresh Saxena IPS
IPS Officer Dr Paresh Saxena Protests Empanelment Denial, Returns President’s Distinguished Service Medal
Screenshot 2025-07-18 212145
Chhattisgarh: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Unveils ‘Anjor Vision @ 2047’ - A Bold Roadmap for a Developed Future!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
promila gupta
The Secret of The Secret – How To Make The Universe Conspire For You
AI 171 CRASH
AAIB Initial Probe In AI-171 Crash Questioned By Aviation Experts
Ravi Kapoor
Why Ex-IRS Officer Ravi Kapoor Walked Away from Power
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Bhavesh Royada
“People often don’t put in the effort required for exams of this level,” Bhavesh Royada
Bhavesh Royada left a stable engineering job to follow his passion for nature. Overcoming failures and...
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-14 at 15.58
The Economist Who Became an IFS Officer
How Abhimanyu Gahlaut balanced global economics and civil services dreams to crack UPSC with AIR 38
Disha Dwivedi UPSC
How Disha Dwivedi Cracked UPSC in Her Sixth Attempt with Unshakable Determination
Disha Dwivedi’s UPSC journey from five prelims failures to securing AIR 672 in 2024 showcases strategic...
Social Media
Screenshot 2025-07-18 203508
Majestic Tiger Rescue and Release in Sundarbans Captivates the Internet: IFS Susanta Nanda Shares Video On X
The video captures the tiger’s strength, agility, and instinct—a breathtaking sight as the big cat slices...
Standing Leopard
Leopard Stuns Internet by Standing on Two Legs Like a Meerkat
A rare video of a leopard standing on two legs in Kruger Park stuns viewers and goes viral across social...
G S Roshni
Kerala’s Fearless Forest Officer G.S. Roshni Rescues 16-Foot King Cobra with Bare Hands, Garners Praise & Critique
Beat Forest Officer G.S. Roshni’s first-ever king cobra rescue goes viral, earning her the title of ‘Green...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
SJVN
Leadership Continuity: Rajendra Prasad Goyal Given Additional Charge as Director (Finance) of SJVN Ltd- Know more about Him
government-of-haryana
Haryana Government Transfers 2 IPS, 13 HPS Officers in Major Police Reshuffle- Check Details
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
promila gupta
AI 171 CRASH
Ravi Kapoor
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT