Seeing libraries in every village this NRI’s aim

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 3

With the aim of seeing a library at every village, town and city in the state, an 85-year-old NRI, along with organisations running libraries in rural areas, has started a campaign seeking the implementation of the Public Library Act in the state. They are writing letters to all ministers and MLAs in Punjab, requesting them to take requisite steps to approve the draft of Punjab Public Library and Information Services Act.

The Public Library Act is already in force in 19 states and Union Territories of the country. The Act was implemented in Haryana in 1989, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in 2006 and in Bihar in 2008.

The NRI, Dr Jaswant Singh of Jarahan village, said: “We have started writing letters to all MLAs and ministers, seeking their support to implement the Act in the state. If the Act is implemented in Punjab, libraries can be easily opened with support of the Raja Rammohun Roy Foundation of the Central Government.”

“Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation was established under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and it provides grants up to 60% for setting up public libraries and services. To get support of this foundation, the Public Library Act is required to be implemented in the state,” said Dr Jaswant Singh, who pursued his PhD in library science from the US.

Dr Jaswant Singh had started a mobile library from his native village of Jarahan in Ludhiana district in 2003. It had also provided services to the nearby villages till 2009. Later, he opened Bhagwanti Yaadgari Public Library at his village and then three more libraries at other villages.

He said: “You will find public libraries in America and Canada like the way you find gurdwaras and temples at every village here. There are around 12,500 villages in Punjab and if libraries are opened here, many persons will get employment too.”

Harish Moudgill, who runs a public library at his village of Pakhowal, also came forward to support Dr Jaswant Singh. “The Punjab Public Library Association, Punjabi University, made a draft of Punjab Public Library and Information Service Act around two decades ago, but it was not implemented. We have also sent emails to Cabinet ministers Manpreet Singh Badal, Navjot Singh Sidhu and Brahm Mohindra in this regard. Besides, we have also written to AAP MLA HS Phoolka and Leader of the Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira. The mails are also being sent to other members of the Punjab legislative assembly.”