'Library Langar' strikes chord with students, parents

Sameer Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, July 16

‘Library Langar’, an initiative of the Education Department aimed at nurturing reading habits among students of government schools, is getting tremendous response from students and their parents alike. Over 90 per cent of the total 3.5 lakh books available in school libraries have already been distributed in more than 600 government schools in Bathinda district alone.

Parents of students and elderly are turning up in large numbers at book exhibitions, part of the initiative, being organised at common public places in villages these days.

Talking to The Tribune, a senior functionary of the department, said, “The initiative is drawing not just students but also their parents and people from all walks of life. With students confined to their homes and attending online classes, there couldn’t have been a better time to start the ‘langar’. The initiative is primarily aimed at inculcating reading habits among students. The drive will also help them gain general awareness on a wide range of topics.”

Started in Muktsar and Kapurthala districts last week, the project has so far been executed in Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Nawanshahr, Ferozepur, Fazillka, Mansa, Gurdaspur, Bathinda, Taran Tarn, Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Mohali and Patiala.

Hardeep Singh of Mehma Sarkari village in Bathinda said, “It is a welcome step by the department. Not just students, but many parents have also been visiting exhibitions being organised in villages.”

Apart from holding exhibitions, department employees have been visiting students to distribute books on varied subjects.

Shivpal, DEO (Elementary), said, “It’s a great way to develop reading habits among students and will also assist us in performing well in the Centre’s National Achievement Survey programme.”