Villages surrounded by hills and forests often struggle with poor internet connectivity. Even when people want to look up information, smartphones are of little help. For students and residents alike, books remain the only dependable source of knowledge. However, the absence of libraries in these remote areas has long created difficulties for learners and readers of all ages.
To address this gap, the Banspahadi police under Belpahari police station launched a mobile library on Wednesday. The initiative aims to take books directly to people across villages, school premises, rural markets and village corners. Students and book lovers will be able to borrow books and read them at their convenience.
The mobile library was inaugurated by Jhargram Superintendent of Police Manab Singla in the presence of Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations) Gulam Sarwar, SDPO Belpahari Shreya Sarkar, Shiksharatna teacher Subrata Mahapatra and others. Police officials said the library will serve villages under the Banspahadi police outpost, including Banspahadi, Kankrajhor, Amlashol, Bhulabheda and Tamajuri, twice a week.
All the books will be carried in a toto, which will travel from place to place delivering books directly into readers’ hands. The toto will also visit Banspahadi High School during tiffin breaks so that students can choose books of their interest. Borrowed books will be collected back after 15 days.
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The mobile library will also stop at local tea shops, where many regular readers are found. Police said several people are interested in reading but cannot afford to buy books or access libraries. This initiative is expected to ease that problem.
Every Wednesday, the mobile library will be available at Banspahadi market, and every Thursday at Bhulabheda market. Readers can borrow books by registering their name and address. The collection includes books for all age groups, from children as young as eight to elderly readers up to eighty.
Chander Pahar, Aranyak, Pather Panchali novels, stories, poetry, childhood stories of great personalities, fairy tales, ways to reduce mental stress, scientific techniques for fish farming, agriculture, animal husbandry, Ayurveda and homoeopathic treatment books are also available.
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Besides, research books written on Jangalmahal and Jhargram have also found a place in this mobile library. This mobile library was launched with 800 books. In future, preparatory books for job preparation and books to assist students in their studies will also be kept, informed OC of Banspahadi police outpos,t Shubhendu Rana.
Additional Police Superintendent of Jhargram Gulam Sarwar said, "Outside a school, four of us friends had started a library in a rented house. There were various books along with exam preparation books. Today we four friends are established in different professions. Everyone should read books. Hence this initiative."
Police Superintendent Manab Singla said, "This mobile library will reach the doorsteps of students and book lovers in this remote area. According to readers' demand, the number of books will be increased further in future."
