Dehradun News: PM Narendra Modi complimented the “ghoda library,” a project that uses mules and horses to transport children’s books to some of the most remote areas of the hills, in the 105th episode of “Mann Ki Baat,” which aired on Sunday. On August 31, TOI has highlighted the programme. The Prime Minister became interested in the narrative and referred to it as “a service to the country in the field of education.”
PM Modi Praises ‘Ghoda Library’ as a Remarkable Service in Education
“In our country, education is always seen as a service. I have come to know about some youths of Uttarakhand, who are working for the education of children with the same spirit. They have started a unique ‘ghoda library’ through which books are reaching out to children in remote areas. The service is being made available to the children free of cost, which is laudable,” the PM Modi said. He continued, “It is encouraging to note that an effort is being made through this library to give children of remote villages the opportunity to read poems, stories, and moral education books in addition to text books.”
A Collaborative Initiative Led by Shubham Badhani
According to TOI, the innovative project was created by Shubham Badhani, a school librarian from Nainital, in collaboration with two NGOs, Sankalp Youth Foundation and Himmothan Trust. Since the ‘library on a horse’ initiative began in June, Badhani and his team have visited approximately 15 hill villages and given out more than 600 books. According to Badhani, he came up with the idea to encourage young readers to develop the habit of reading. Since it is difficult to go to isolated hill villages, we chose to utilise a horse to transport books to hamlets that are typically not connected by road. Children in isolated communities including Baghani, Jalna, Mahaldhura, Aalekh, Gautiya, Dhina kharak, and Bansi responded enthusiastically to the concept.
Expanding the ‘Ghoda Library’ Initiative
On the appreciation received by the PM Modi, he said, “It is definitely encouraging for us that the PM recognised our efforts and appreciated it in Mann ki Baat. This gives us more strength and energy to expand our campaign and reach more and more remote villages in other parts of the state. We soon plan to set up community libraries in Nainital as well as Rudraprayag and Tehri districts. This requires a lot of resources, which we do not have at present, but we believe that one day, we will achieve our goals.” The ghoda library’s creator, Shubham Badhani, said the PM’s praise provides him more motivation and strength to advance the effort.
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