A library set up in a remote corner of the Sundernbans has brought cheer to the hearts of local residents as it promised to expand their horizons by connecting them to the outer world through books.
The Falak Spreading Smiles Foundation installed the library on the premises of Swapnopuran Siksha Niketan, a proposed CBSE school run by Swapnopuran Welfare Society on July 24 to promote the habit of reading among children and adults.
Hingalganj MLA Debes Mondal, filmmaker Sudeshna Roy, four-time kettlebell World Championship winner Shivani Agarwalla and educationist Harshit Chokhani were present at the inauguration of the event as chief guests.
“It was our dream project to build a library for students in the Sunderbans. We’ll keep on upgrading this library with civil services and competitive exams books. Local people will be able to access this library,’’ said Tarang Kanodia, founder and director, Falak Spreading Smiles Foundation.
Actor Sudeshna Roy skims through a book at the library. Falak Spreading Smiles Foundation
The library currently houses around 4,000 books, most of them suitable for children, and aims to bridge the gap between people and their difficulty in accessing quality books. It now has a repository of textbooks, novels, activity books, art and craft books and dictionaries. The stock will also be upgraded from time to time with Bengali, English and Hindi language books.
“I'm happy to be present at the inauguration of the library. The zeal, desire and enthusiasm of Swapnopuron Welfare Society for the people of the Sunderbans is praiseworthy. The library will help people understand the power of reading books,” said Mondal.
Only in-library reading facilities are available at present from Monday to Friday between 10.30am and 5pm. However, efforts are on to create library cards to enable people to borrow books.
Books by Kilo, Delhi-based Books for All, Ashok Hall Group of Schools, College Street book shops and the US consulate general library have donated books for the cause. Falak also conducted its own book donation drive.
(Left) Hinganganj MLA Debes Mandal was one of the chief guests at the event. Falak Spreading Smiles Foundation
“I congratulate Falak and Swapnopuran on achieving this ambitious project in this interior region. I thank these young people who are contributing to the social well-being of local residents," said Sudeshna Roy, who is also the special consultant to the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
The Falak Spreading Smiles Foundation accepts book donations from organisations and individuals for expanding the library. They can be contacted via falak.spreadingsmiles@gmail.com.