NGO initiates preservation of rare books, documents

Tribune News Service

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Amritsar, July 20

Coming to the rescue of written heritage in the form of rare books and documents kept at Bhai Veer Singh Niwas Sthaan, the Empowering Roots Society (ERS) has created customised boxes for their safe storage and maintenance. The young NGO that has launched a campaign called “Adopt a Book”, has already completed the first phase and is looking forward to more tie-ups with educational institutions to create a readership for these books.

The ERS, a relatively young NGO led by Vansh Aggarwal, has taken up the responsibility to preserve and fund the project that focuses on getting the literary memoirs of Bhai Veer Singh visibility. “The aim of “Adopt a Book” campaign is to preserve these books as heritage items, so we have started with providing boxes to keep the books. These boxes are made of wood, treated with anti-termite process and lined with fabric suitable to protect the books from withering away. Also, we have created envelope-style covers for the rare, handwritten papers and letters containing poetry by Bhai Veer Singh ji. Efforts will be made to ensure that these books are made available to young readers, as they are a valuable source of literature and heritage,” said Sandeep Singh, spokesperson and public relation officer, ERS. The NGO had launched the project by donating boxes to store copies of “Khalsa Samachar”, a weekly newspaper printing since 1899.

This is the NGO’s second project and they are now looking forward to engage students to adopt a book and pay for its maintenance. “It’s an interesting concept as we ask students to pay whatever sum they want, a minimal amount that will be used to maintain a particular book they adopt. A special case engraved with their name will be kept beside the book, so as to tell that the book is adopted by that person. The money will be used to fund the restoration of these books by hiring expert binders and conservationists,” say Sandeep. The ERS has earlier worked with weavers and artisans to raise employment through creating a localised market.

Dilbir Foundation and Cambridge School have already tied up with the project, ensuring maximum support through resources.