Pune: Shipping containers are usually used to carry cargo from one place to another, but the story of this particular container is unique because despite being immobile, it carries a cargo far more precious than anything else - Knowledge and hope.
A seemingly ordinary container sitting in the premises of Snehwan, an NGO based in Pune, is anything but ordinary. Setup by an organisation called 'Bookwala', this particular container is a library for children of farmers who have committed suicide.
In Koyali village in Pune, Snehwan has been taking care of educating children of farmers who committed suicide, to encourage reading along with studies. The idea behind the initiative is that the children develop a habit of reading as they face tough situations back home. Developing a habit of reading can not only provide these children with a sense of catharsis but also help them in developing a perspective and have a culturally rich upbringing.
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Ashok Deshmane, President of Snehwan said that those children who are studying with the help of Snehwan, should also develop a habit of reading and have a rich imagination, is the motive of this initiative. The children should learn values in life through the books, and develop a personality. This is to help them forget their painful past and move ahead into a brighter future.
The library contains books in both English and Marathi. This is a one-of-a-kind initiative in the country. Novels and biographies, fairytales and superhero stories are just some of the types of books kept in the library. The children have designated timings in the morning as well as evening to read in the library. Representatives from Bookwala come twice a week to guide the students and expand their knowledge of books. Several books are also brought here considering the demands of what the children want to read.
