Dhaulra library in Yamunanagar emerges as beacon of hope for youth
The newly constructed library has been widely praised by villagers for its modern design and facilities
Dhaulra village, located in the Radaur block of Yamunanagar district, is widely known in Haryana for the famous temple of Lord Balbhadra.
According to local belief, after Odisha, Dhaulra is the only place in the country where such a prominent temple of Lord Balbhadra exists.
With a population of about 2,000, the village has long been recognised for its strong awareness of education and has produced several officers who have served or are serving Haryana in various administrative capacities.
In a major step toward strengthening education and helping youth secure government and private jobs, a modern library has been established in the village in the name of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The initiative, which began in 2022, has already started transforming the lives of village students and aspirants preparing for competitive examinations.
Village sarpanch Satish Kumar, who was elected in 2022, played a key role in setting up the library in the village. He is considered an educated and visionary leader, holding an LLB degree.
Soon after assuming office, he convened a gram sabha meeting in which a large number of village youth participated.
During the meeting, the young people highlighted a serious issue — they were forced to travel to distant places to prepare for government and private jobs and other competitive examinations due to the absence of proper facilities in the village. They said that this problem not only increased their expenses but also created difficulties for those who could not afford coaching outside the village.
They demanded that if a library could be set up in Dhaulra itself, aspirants would be able to stay in the village and prepare effectively, improving their chances of selection and bringing pride to the village.
Taking immediate cognizance of the demand, the gram panchayat passed a resolution and forwarded it to the Chief Executive Officer of Zila Parishad, Yamunanagar, through the Block Development and Panchayat Officer, Radaur.
The panchayat assured the authorities that land and space would be made available for establishing the library.
After receiving the proposal, the zila parishad took the matter seriously and wrote to the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam, Yamunanagar, requesting assistance in setting up a library at the village.
The corporation considered the demand under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund and approved the establishment of the library in Dhaulra.
The land was provided by the gram panchayat and the construction work was completed in 2022.
The newly constructed library has been widely praised by villagers for its modern design and facilities. It has been equipped with modern furnishings, several hundred books and has a peaceful environment suitable for learning.
The library also has five computers with internet connectivity, enabling students to access online study material, mock tests and digital coaching to ensure modern learning support.
A village youth, Ishant, said that the library was named after India’s first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, as a tribute to his contribution to national unity and development. He added that the library is fully equipped with resources and has become a centre of learning for the entire area.
Another youth, Shivam, shared that due to the availability of computers and internet facilities, village aspirants no longer need to travel outside for coaching.
He said online coaching has opened new opportunities for rural students, allowing them to attend digital classes, download notes and participate in online test series directly from the village.
According to Shivam, about 50-60 youths, including boys and girls, are currently preparing for government job examinations in the library. This reflects the increasing participation of rural youth — especially girls — in competitive exam preparation.
A village girl, Khushi, said that earlier it was difficult for girls to travel far for studies, as Yamunanagar is located at a considerable distance. She described the library as a boon for girls, stating that they can now study with confidence and prepare for exams through online learning resources.
Gram panchayat member Salinder Kumar said that the library was so well-built and attractive that people from nearby villages also visited. Sarpanch Satish Kumar said air conditioners and fans have been installed in the library to ensure students do not face discomfort during summers.
“Additionally, to deal with power cuts, an inverter system has been arranged at the panchayat level so that studies are not interrupted,” he said.
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