The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Police to set up book clubs in remote villages

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 14, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Police to set up book clubs in remote villages

By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao

The Superintendent of Police, K. Srinivasa Reddy, speaking at the inaugural of the `Gnana Nilayam' at Battupalli village in Hanamkonda mandal, Warangal district.

WARANGAL, SEPT. 13. As part of their multi-pronged strategy to counter extremism, the district police have come up with another unique concept; that of setting up `Gnana Nilayams' or book clubs in remote villages where a Government library does not exist.

Initially, each of the clubs have begun with about 100 titles - easy and simple to read on a wide variety of subjects ranging from health, science, superstition, history, Gandhi and Ambedkar - and even SSC and Intermediate textbooks. Until now, five clubs have been set up in remote villages - Thatikonda in Station Ghanpur mandal, Mallampalli in Mulug, Chenchukota and Inapur villages in Cheriyal mandal and Battupalli in Hanamkonda mandal.

Guidance through books

"The objective of the Gnana Nilayam is to guide the youth through books. Hitherto we have been distributing sports kits and organising sports competitions. Reading good books at an young age shapes one's life,'' said the Superintendent of Police, Kothakota Srinivasa Reddy. The local sub-inspector of police was entrusted with identifying the villages where a Government library does not exist and where the children and youth are in considerable number. After interacting with the youth, the SI would decide on the titles to be purchased. The list depends on the needs of the youth. In case there are students studying SSC and Intermediate, their obvious choice would be textbooks and books on general knowledge.

Broad objective

After identifying the village, the sub-inspector with the help of the circle inspector and his colleagues makes a financial contribution of Rs 5,000. He would also interact with the village elders for accommodation - may be a room in a panchayat office or premises donated by some generous people. "The idea has a very broad objective. Besides cultivating the reading habit among children and youth, it helps dispel the confusion among youth and check superstition,'' said the Public Relations Officer, Utpala Sekhar, referring to the recent incident where two persons were burnt alive on charges of practising sorcery.

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