16 October 2026
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The Restive Youth Wanted a ‘Book Bank’- They Just Got One

IPS officer Suraj Singh Parihar always dreamed of providing education to youth and helping the poor, needy, and tribal youth in clearing tough competitive exams by way of a community book bank. His dream recently got realized in Chhattisgarh’s newest district.
Indian Masterminds Stories

IPS officer Suraj Singh Parihar’s dream of opening a book bank, specially equipped with competition books, so that aspirants of UPSC or other exams such as Bank PO, CGPSC, SSC, Sub Inspector entrance, Railway entrance, etc do not face a difficult time in acquiring study material for preparation has finally been accomplished!

In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, he expresses his exhilaration at the inauguration of the book bank.

IPS Suraj Singh Parihar being congratulated

INAUGURATION OF THE BOOK BANK

On repeated demands by the tribal youth of Chhattisgarh’s newest district, Gaurela-Pendra- Marwahi, Mr. Parihar had decided to launch a book bank exclusively dedicated to the poor, needy, and tribal children who wished to prepare for competitive exams. For this book bank, he had appealed to the public, through social media mainly, to donate as many books as possible.

Mr. Parihar had talked about the matter with us in detail, which was covered in our story: Creating a Book Bank for the Tribals.

Mr. Parihar at the book bank

Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi is the newest (28 th ) district in Chhattisgarh and recently completed one year of its existence. As a birthday gift to the district, Mr. Parihar presented the locals with the new book bank which was inaugurated in the first week of February 2021. These books are available for anyone who needs them in the district and will be issued absolutely free of cost.

“Students were coming to me enquiring about the opening of the book bank and when they will be able to issue their library cards and start their preparations. As soon as I got free from elections and VIP visits, I inaugurated the bank so that these students could begin their journey on the path to success,” Mr. Parihar told Indian Masterminds.

It was a memorable day

‘POLICE KI PATHSHALA’

Any new project or venture requires a name through which people are able to connect and understand its importance.

“I wanted to go for a name that developed a kind of emotional connection with the people and at the same time boost morale of the police force; therefore, I decided to name the book bank after the martyred head constable of our Zila – Shri Shiv Narayan Baghel.”

The inauguration of ‘pathshala’

Naming it after the head constable ensured the force that no matter whatever post they are on, in the eyes of the government and people, they are all equal and praiseworthy. Another message that the library imparts is that by making use of the books accumulated in the book bank, youth should walk on the path of righteousness and do something for their country instead of becoming a naxal or a criminal.

The inauguration of the library was done by the daughter of martyred Shiv Narayan Baghel and the event was honored by the presence of Range IG – Shri Ratan Lal Dangi, who is a source of inspiration for the youth of the region.

Police ki pathshala

“The residents are extremely excited and look forward to utilizing the book banks to the fullest,” said Mr Parihar.

CLEANLINESS DRIVE IN THE DISTRICT

On the occasion of completion of one year of the establishment of the district, Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi, Mr. Parihar, and his team also took out a cleaning and beautification drive across the district.

On top of that, the District administration, along with civil administration and police force, launched the `Arpa Mahotsav’, which was a two-day festival during which various literary and sports events were organized day and night. The program commenced on February 9 th and filled the air with music, dance, and folk songs.

“The district laps the origin of various rivers and we launched the campaign to clean, paint and beautify these river banks. Moreover, we are also motivating residents to cycle around the district in order to keep fit. I have the vision to uplift the people with regard to education and fitness, and help them in realizing their own capacity” Mr. Parihar told Indian Masterminds.

Mr. Parihar motivates people to cycle

Mr. Parihar had been helping the youth for a long time by conducting various webinars, where he imparted important tips regarding preparations. Due to his busy schedule, the webinar speed had dropped a little, but he assures his students that he will soon pick up the pace again and come back to the forefront in full swing.


Indian Masterminds Stories
Join our WhatsApp Channel
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
ECL
Eastern Coalfields Distributes 90 Appointment Letters Under NCWA and R&R Policy
PNB-resized
PNB Q2 FY27 Results: Net Profit Jumps 12.8% to ₹5,532 Crore, GNPA Falls to 2.55% 
GAIL Mumbai-Nagpur-Jharsuguda Pipeline Project
GAIL Wins Midstream Project of the Year – India at Asian Oil & Gas Awards 2026 for Major Pipeline Project
NMDC Russia Critical Minerals
NMDC Explores Strategic Partnerships with Russian Firms in Rare Earth and Critical Minerals 
Rajasthan DGP Summoned by Assembly Speaker
Rajasthan Speaker Summons DGP Over Ex-BJP MLA’s Killing, Alleged Assault on RSS Pracharak
NHPC Ashupani Bridge
NHPC Inaugurates Ashupani Bridge to Improve Connectivity at 2,880 MW Dibang Project 
Jharkhand School Development Plan
Jharkhand Directs Government Schools to Prepare Three-Year Development Plans from 2027–28
RTI
Six-Year RTI Delay: Punjab Information Commission Orders ₹5,000 Relief, Seeks Action Against Officials
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr Saket Badola IFS
Beyond Tigers and Safaris: How Corbett Literature Festival Wants to Change the Conservation Conversation
PK Jena
Why Technology Cannot Replace Human Connection in Governance: P.K. Jena
PK Jena
The IAS Officer Who Put People Before Paperwork: How PK Jena Challenged Corruption and Reformed Governance
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Aayush Sharma
Three CDS Attempts, Five AFCAT Qualifications & Medical Setback: How Aayush Sharma Secured CAPF AIR 135
After three unsuccessful SSB attempts, five AFCAT qualifications and a medical setback, Aayush Sharma...
Tushar Chaudhary IRMS
He Left Intel, Built COPAL-19, Spent Months at AIIMS, Ran Half Marathons, and Returned to UPSC—Tushar Chaudhary’s Journey to IRMS
UPSC ESE AIR 4 Tushar Chaudhary left a ₹25 LPA Intel job, built COPAL-19, spent months at AIIMS, ran...
Mayank Sachan UPSC CAPF
15+ Exam Failures, 15 Years in the Navy: How Mayank Sachan Secured AIR 343 in UPSC CAPF
Former Indian Navy sailor Mayank Sachan secured AIR 343 in UPSC CAPF 2025 after 15+ exam failures, two...
CSR NEWS
NBCC India CSR Award 2026
NBCC India Wins Award for Excellence in CSR at 4th Fortune Leadership Awards 2026
The recognition honours NBCC’s community welfare initiatives and efforts to improve healthcare accessibility...
HURL ALIMCO
HURL Signs MoU with ALIMCO to Support Divyangjans and Senior Citizens in Gorakhpur, Barauni and Sindri
Under its CSR initiative, HURL will support PMD-VK Gorakhpur and facilitate the distribution of need-based...
MDL CSR Support to Divyasha Vayoshri Kendra
MDL Extends ₹3.79 Crore CSR Support to Divyasha Vayoshri Kendra in Mumbai
The initiative will strengthen access to assistive devices, prosthetics and rehabilitation services for...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
ECL
Eastern Coalfields Distributes 90 Appointment Letters Under NCWA and R&R Policy
PNB-resized
PNB Q2 FY27 Results: Net Profit Jumps 12.8% to ₹5,532 Crore, GNPA Falls to 2.55% 
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr Saket Badola IFS
PK Jena
PK Jena
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT