Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Jan 28: Notwithstanding the tall claims of the Government to improve the condition of public libraries and other infrastructure in the State, the real picture remains quite grim.
The State youth, especially from the far-flung areas, who aspire to appear in competitive exams are in dire need of good libraries which can help to provide them the requisite information and supplement to their existing knowledge.
The public library at border town of Mendhar in district Poonch, depicts a pathetic picture as it lacks many facilities, infrastructure and the latest books and journals. Not only this, the staff has packed many books in the gunny bags as there were no adequate ‘almirahs’ and wardrobes. Many packed books have been damaged due to poor upkeep and non-availability of almirahs. There is no phone connection, adequate furniture and drinking water facilities etc.
Students of the area allege that they suffer due to non-availability of new and latest books and competitive journals. They said the library subscribes only three or four English Dailies and there is no subscription to an Urdu newspaper.
Library incharge, Zaffer Iqbal, when contacted said that the library at Mendhar was established in 1980 in a rented accommodation and till date it continues to be in the same building. He said there were around 4233 books but the condition of over 1800 was not good. Hussain also said he has written to the higher authorities for providing ‘almirahs’, fresh books, newspapers, phone connection, computer, furniture etc but response was still awaited.
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