This Odisha retired teacher dedicates time, money to promote reading habits among youths

KalingaTV News Network

Koraput: Jalandhar Ganta, a retired teacher who lives in Odisha’s Koraput district, has collected a huge volume of books and has so much passion for both reading and promoting reading habits among the youths that he dedicates his time and money for the purpose that he is called as ‘The Book Man’ in the area. Here is what he says about his initiative on the occasion of the World Book Day.

“I had a keen interest in reading books. However, books were not available for me at the right time. I bought books whenever I got money even when I was a student. I have collected different types of books, and now promote reading habits among the youths so that they may not be deprived of reading books as I was,” said Jalandhar.

“Candidates who are preparing for different competitive exams including IAS and OAS from these areas are also coming here to read books and they say me that my collection of books helps them a lot. I also love and feel great whenever people come here to read books,” he added.

Speaking about the retired teacher’s dedication and initiative, Madan Mohan Sahoo, a native of the area said, “We get all sorts of books here. We get even those books which we do not get in Odisha market.”

Jalandhar’s son who helps him in maintaining the small library demanded help from either the district administration or state government, so that they can open a public library in Koraput to help the locals to read the books freely.

“Internet cannot replace the books. We should take advantage of the knowledge that we get from the internet. However, reading a book by holding it gives a special feeling and one can acquire knowledge directly while reading books. We want to open a library in Koraput if get some support from anyone including the state government and district administration, so that people can take advantage of the books that we have,” said Jalandhar’s son.