It all started with the setting up of the first library in Chengadih Panchayat of Jamtara district. That first step was difficult, but once it was successfully taken, things started moving forward and from one library in one panchayat, the administration has finally reached its target of establishing a working library in all the 118 panchayats of the district. Earlier, the same district was infamous in many ways, but now it is being looked upon as a model for a perfect educational initiative in the entire state of Jharkhand.

And a large part of the credit for this turnaround goes to the Deputy Commissioner of Jamtara, Mr. Faiz Aq Ahmed Mumtaz. It was he who started this initiative with small efforts which became bigger over time, with targets being achieved within a year’s time. Now the library centres are filled with all kinds of books and have become a focal point for studying and building careers for the younger generation.

HOW IT STARTED

In the month of November last year, the Deputy Commissioner held a Janta Darbar in Chengadih Panchayat where a villager pointed out the lack of educational facilities in the district. A lot of people came forward to voice the need for a library for the youth to get study materials in their own district.

As their concern was real and their demand justified, the officer took no time in starting an initiative for converting old and dilapidated government buildings into community libraries. The initiative started with the Chengadih panchayat and moved onto other panchayats quickly. It took less than one year for the administration to start a library in all the 118 panchayats of the district.

EMPOWERING GIRLS

Jamtara district is among the most backward districts in the state. Girls living in this district are not exposed to much educational facilities due to which they find it difficult to get out of the bubble and spread their wings. However, now the same girl students are getting books and other study material at their doorsteps. Not only this, under this initiative, each library has been adopted by a teacher so that there is proper records of the betterment of the youth. Mr. Faiz said, “The main aim is to get productive results out of the initiative and give equal opportunities to the youth like anywhere else in the country.”

PREPARING FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMS

The district administration is also conducting coaching classes for the students to encourage them to join government jobs. Police officials conduct these classes on Sundays while civil administration officials take classes on Wednesdays. Mr. Faiz said, “Till now about 7000 sessions have been conducted in these libraries and the engagement with students is getting stronger by the day.”

Preparation for various competitive exams like SSC, Army, Para-military forces, Railways etc., is conducted at these centres. An online website has also been started by the district administration where people can donate books and register for the classes.

This thoughtful initiative has now become a model for others to adopt, as the less privileged children are getting opportunities to build a better future for themselves without having to step out of their village.