Sajid Raina
Bandipora, Jan 1: In a land known for ‘Alim (knowledge, Adab (literature) and Aab (water)’, the students and aspirants in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district face difficulties as there is no modern district-level library.
The district has a tehsil-level library, established in 1972, which operates in private accommodation with limited study materials and no internet access. Its location is unknown to some students, and many are unaware of its existence.
The lack of a modern district-level library forces civil service aspirants to travel to Srinagar for library access.
Students said, “Had the facility been available in Bandipora, it would save poor students a significant amount of money.”
“The library consists of only two rooms, one serving as a reading area and the other for office staff. It is only open during office hours, limiting study time for students,” they said.
Since its establishment, the tehsil library has been relocated multiple times. Initially located in the main market, it was destroyed by fire in 1974. It was then moved to different locations, including near Noor Masjid and the Board office. The library lacks essential resources.
Mariya, a student, said that while some books are available, there is a need for improvements in infrastructure. During her visit, she felt it resembled an old bookshop more than a library.
Although the district is known for its historical association with knowledge, literature and water, the lack of an upgraded library is a concern.
Locals have requested that the library be developed with modern technology and a 24-hour reading room for students preparing for competitive exams.
Sahil Bhat, a student, said the library’s limited hours and poor seating arrangements are major issues. He questioned why intellectuals had not advocated for improvements over the years. Many aspirants find it difficult to study in groups due to limited space.
Another significant problem is the lack of access to e-books and online resources. Students from the outskirts also face challenges in visiting the library and have asked for online access to books.
The library is housed in private accommodation, and the people have urged the government to find a permanent location for its establishment.
An official said that higher authorities had approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) with a budget of 5.5 crore rupees, and construction is expected to start in March 2024. The site for the new library has already been identified, he said.
However, locals are concerned about the time taken to initiate construction and request that the government prioritise a suitable location for the library.
Mushtaq Ahmad, another student, said that local ministers had neglected this issue during their tenures. He urged the government and district authorities to prioritise the construction of a modern library with modern technology.
In Hajin, a town with a history of scholars, the local library, established in 1977, operates from a rented building. The library faces challenges like an insufficient collection of new books and a lack of modern infrastructure.
The library’s holdings were last updated in 2018, and there have been no additions since. The library’s resources are limited to two local newspapers, excluding national newspapers that are necessary for civil service aspirants.
The absence of national papers highlights the gap in resources. The infrastructure of the library is in need of repair.
Nadeem Azad Bhat, an aspirant, said the library lacks essential features like internet access, proper seating and modern technology, which limits its potential for education and community development.
The library is also hard to locate, as the rented building has no signage, and its presence is not well-known.
Zafar Farooq Mir, a civil service aspirant, said he travelled five kilometres to find the library closed.
The lack of resources and operational issues have forced students like Mir to consider moving to Srinagar for better facilities. The library’s failure to meet the needs of students underlines the urgency for improvement.
The absence of electricity hampers technological advancements, and the lack of cooling or heating systems makes it difficult to study during extreme weather conditions.
