Upper Sindh welcomes new libraries

For a long time, parts of upper Sindh, which have historically been an afterthought in terms of educational reform and developmental policy, had yearned for a public library for its youth. Their prayers were answered last year, when local philanthropists, community leaders, and neighbourhood Samaritans came together to crowdfund two libraries, one in Dadu and the other in Kakkar.

Both these facilities are the first of their kind in their respective towns, making them a hotspot for local students who had been longing for shared study spaces to prepare for competitive exams such as bureaucratic recruitment tests and pre-entry assessments for admission in various disciplines and jobs.

“This area was once known for its dacoit culture, but now it is time to change that representation. We have communally arranged over 12,000 books for Saen Ghulam Muhammad Mallah Library in Sita and more than 50,00 books for Alhaj Ameer Bux Children’s Library, which is equipped with titles suitable for kids and a variety of teacher resource material. This will create new avenues for our people and make knowledge accessible to everyone,” said Rafia Mallah, an educationist who came up with the idea for the two libraries.

Readers engrossed in books at a library in Sita Road, Dadu. PHOTO: EXPRESS

Ms Mallah, who is a native, said that the idea for the library came to her mind during her foreign study tour and frequent protests by local students to provide them with a library. “A library is a gateway to knowledge, but unfortunately the rural areas of Sindh are deprived of this facility. We have started from Dadu and my aim is to replicate the same thing in other districts of Sindh too,” she said, adding that they have set up the libraries in old government buildings that had been abandoned for years. “We have renovated the building and I am really thankful for local MPA Engr Abdul Aziz Junejo who morally, socially, and financially supported us to make this dream possible. We have solarised the libraries, and also appointed a proper librarian, a watchman, and other necessary staff to sustain the initiative.”

According to Ms Mallah, she and her team further plan to launch a joint account for salaries of the staff, purchase newspapers and manage other things. In addition to that, there are also plans to equip the libraries with internet facilities and dedicated space for study circles, where lectures of distinguished people in different fields will be arranged.

Readers engrossed in books at a library in Sita Road, Dadu. PHOTO: EXPRESS. 

Ali Raza, the librarian who runs affairs at the Saen Ghulam Muhammad Mallah Library, said that in the last six to eight months he has seen a huge inflow of young boys and girls coming to the library in the morning and sticking around till sunset. “We have a huge collection of books, including fiction and non-fiction titles and as well as subjects recommended for competitive exams,” he said adding that there are at least 50-60 students present at the facility every day, who are dedicated to studying and maintain complete decorum at the library.

While on the other hand, Pakistan People’s Party MPA Abdul Aziz Junejo talking about the children’s library said they have arranged the best books written for children. “We are now setting up a playground for kids in the library and would try to convince concerned authorities in the provincial government to incorporate a few schemes dedicated to libraries in the coming budget for our constituency,” he told The Express Tribune.

Dozens of libraries are either closed or in a state of decay in entire Sindh. According to local journalist Wali Chandio, some libraries with collection of rare books are in deplorable and converted into departmental stores in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpukhas and even Karachi division. “We are happy to know that a library in SITA is named after Ghulam Muhammad Mallah, a legendary character of Dadu district who played pivotal role in women education in those days when society was suffering from an unannounced ban on girls education, he said.

“He stood up against the social taboos and not only enrolled his own daughters in government boys schools, but mobilized many parents and villagers to enroll their girls in schools, who can make “ Chandio said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 23^rd, 2022.