Vizianagaram (Andhra Pradesh): The words "the book is an ornament in the hand" held a lot of value for elderly people in the recent past. However, it has been replaced by cellular phones now. Those who are interested in books are now turning to read them on mobile phones.
Once Mahatma Gandhi had said to the youth, and to people, to purchase a book even if they wore a torn shirt. Now that the mobile phone mania haunts people, there are hardly any takers for books.
As a result, books are getting ruined or are a target for pests. There is no interest among the youth to read them or even touch them. If a few desire to read, they resort to digital means rather than printed ones.
In these circumstances, Reddy Ramana of Vizianagaram district is doing an innovative effort to bring books back into the hands of the people. His remedy is the mobile library which helps people caught in the web of mobile phone 'intoxication'.
Reddy Ramana of Chipurupally is trying to bring the books closer to all by maintaining a bike library. Working as a lecturer in a private college, he runs Aashaya Seva Sanstha and also conducts social service programs.
Since 2005 he is making efforts to create awareness on education, health and environment in several villages. Taking help from donors, Ramana runs social libraries in some villages in Chipurupally constituency.
He is trying hard to introduce books to people by starting mobile libraries in villages which are so deprived that they do not even have mobile phone coverage. According to Ramana, there is a positive response from people as mobile libraries cater to the needs of all age groups.
Though youth, students and others were surprised to see these kinds of libraries, they started reading and became accustomed to a diverse set of books.
Reddy Ramana makes it a point to make people hear his message of prioritising reading books whichever village he goes to.
Read: AP: Villagers in Vizianagaram take out unique rally to highlight lack of proper roads
