Sahil Manzoor Bhatti
Today, we often see books being sold on footpaths, while shoes and other things are displayed in beautifully decorated shops. This makes us think: Is this progress or destruction of our society?
Books are not ordinary things. They are a source of knowledge, wisdom, and education. Whatever the world has achieved today is largely because of knowledge and education. Educated people have contributed greatly to the development of society.
Therefore, books deserve respect and a special place in our homes. We should encourage people to buy books and develop home libraries for themselves and their children. We can keep a separate space for books with proper shelves, good lighting, and comfortable furniture. A beautiful home library can attract children and encourage them to read books instead of spending too much time playing games or using smartphones.
I have seen many people who have a strong interest in learning. They study at home whenever they get free time and also encourage their children to study. Home libraries can bring a positive change in our families and may even start a revolution in our reading habits.
We should keep different types of books, such as religious books, storybooks, books on reasoning, poetry, economics, geography, history, science, and other subjects. In this way, every family member can find something interesting to read instead of wasting time.
The importance of public libraries
The public can also play an important role in changing society. Libraries play a vital role in the intellectual, moral, and professional development of society.
In today’s fast-changing world, knowledge has become one of the most important tools for personal development and national progress. Therefore, it is important to establish well-equipped public libraries at the district and tehsil levels across the Kashmir Valley. These libraries should ideally provide long working hours, including 24×7 access where practical and feasible, especially for students preparing for competitive examinations.
Modern libraries should have updated books, digital resources, computers, internet facilities, printing services, newspapers, journals, and trained librarians. A good public library can become a strong center for learning, innovation, and success.
Nowadays, public libraries have become an important demand among students and competitive-exam aspirants. Many young people are asking for better study facilities. Libraries can provide a common place where students from different backgrounds can sit together, study, share ideas, and work towards their goals.
Education is the key to empowerment, and libraries support education by making knowledge accessible to everyone.
Education and modern technology
Today’s world is full of advanced technology. Artificial intelligence, digital learning platforms, smartphones, computers, and modern machines have changed the way we learn and work.
When almost every sector is moving forward with technology, education should also keep pace with modern developments. Libraries should therefore combine traditional books with digital learning facilities.
As the famous saying goes, “Education is the most powerful weapon which can change the world.”
Education does not discriminate between rich and poor. It gives everyone an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve their lives.
If we understand the needs of the present time, we should not hesitate to introduce meaningful changes. The demand for better public libraries should be seriously considered by the authorities.
Education is important not only for an individual’s personal development but also for the progress of a nation. Strong education systems have helped the world produce scientists, doctors, engineers, teachers, writers, and innovators. Libraries have always been silent but important supporters of this progress.
Libraries for competitive-exam aspirants
Public libraries are especially important for young people preparing for competitive examinations such as civil services, banking, defence, teaching, and other national-level examinations.
Many students face problems such as a lack of proper study space, limited access to books, poor internet connectivity, and an unsuitable study environment at home. A well-equipped library can solve many of these problems by providing a peaceful place to study, updated books, internet access, and digital resources.
In the Kashmir Valley, there is a large amount of talent among students and young people. Educational institutions help students develop ideas about social, economic, educational, environmental, moral, health, and technological issues.
However, difficult circumstances and disruptions in educational activities can sometimes affect students. Whenever schools and colleges remain closed for any reason, public libraries can provide an alternative learning space. They can help students continue their studies and reduce the loss of valuable learning time.
The need in rural areas
A large part of the population of the Kashmir Valley lives in villages and small hamlets where educational facilities are sometimes limited.
The government has taken important steps to provide education to children. The Right to Education Act, introduced through the 86th Constitutional Amendment in 2002, added Article 21-A to the Constitution and provides for free and compulsory education for children between six and fourteen years of age.
However, education is not limited to schools and classrooms. Students also need books, study materials, internet access, research resources, and a peaceful environment for learning.
Public libraries can provide these additional facilities, especially in rural and less-developed areas.
Why students move outside Kashmir
Due to limited facilities, many students from Kashmir travel to other cities for competitive-examination preparation. Cities such as Delhi have become major study centers for many aspirants.
Students who leave their homes may face problems related to accommodation, expenses, travel, and separation from their families.
The question is: Why do students have to leave their homeland for better study facilities?
One important reason is the availability of better study environments and educational resources elsewhere.
If similar facilities are developed within Kashmir, students can prepare for examinations closer to their homes. This can reduce their financial burden and allow them to remain connected with their families.
The government and society should work together to support local talent. Well-established libraries at district and tehsil levels could provide students with a better environment for study.
Such libraries should have uninterrupted electricity, high-speed internet, updated books, newspapers, journals, online resources, computers, printing facilities, and trained librarians.
Libraries can change society
A public library is not simply a building full of books. It is a centre of knowledge and learning.
Libraries promote self-study, discipline, curiosity, and critical thinking. They also provide equal opportunities because students from different economic backgrounds can use the same educational resources.
In this way, libraries can contribute to social equality, educational development, and a more knowledgeable society.
Conclusion
Home libraries and public libraries can play an important role in developing a reading culture in our society. Parents should encourage their children to read books, and every family should try to create a small reading space at home.
At the same time, the establishment of well-equipped public libraries at district and tehsil levels can provide valuable support to students, especially competitive-examination aspirants.
For the youth of Kashmir, libraries can become a ray of hope. They can encourage reading, support education, reduce the need to travel elsewhere for study, and help young people achieve their goals.
A society that respects books and promotes reading creates a stronger future. It is time for families, society, and authorities to give greater importance to libraries and build a culture of reading and learning.
(The author is a freelancer and can be reached at [email protected])
