Page 38 - NIS English November16-30

Positive Approach Changing India

A NEW DAWN FOR CHILDREN

Straws made from coconut leaves and a street library in Arunachal
Pradesh started by a school teacher are shinning examples
of out-of-box thinking

STREET LIBRARY IN ITANAGAR STRAWS FROM COCONUT LEAVES

BECOME A GLOBAL BRAND

30-year-old school teacher Ngurang Meena from
A Nirjuli town in Arunachal Pradesh has set up a rue to this English adage
wonderful street library. The innovative idea struck Tthat necessity is the mother
Meena’s mind after she witnessed very disheartening of invention, Prof Saji Verges
board exam results of students in her locality. Through of Bengaluru has produced
social media, she got to know about a street library in straws from coconut leaves.
Mizoram that had been attracting children this inspired They are organic, environment-
her to set up a similar library in Nirjuli town. friendly and anti-fungal to replace
Born to an unlettered mother and a matriculate father, plastic straws used for drinking
she knew how much reading had contributed in shaping coconut water, cold drink etc.
her personality. So she decided to rescue students from These biodegradable straws
the world of their smart-phones and usher them into the have brought global applause
world of printed word. Spending close to Rs 20,000 on for Verges. Orders have been
books and the bookshelf, she launched the Street Library. placed from various parts of the
Meena wants children and adolescents not only to make world. Prime Minister Narendra
reading a habit but also develop a liking for reading. Her Modi has been talking about
Street Library is drawing children as well as adults. Earlier, discouraging single-use plastic.
book lover who could not afford books were forced to go The invention of Prof Verges is not
to government libraries. This Street Library has not only only strengthening his movement
fostered reading habit among children but also rekindled but also generating employment
the long-lost interest for books among their parents in the coastal areas especially for
especially those who could not afford to buy books. women.

36 New India Samachar