A book lovers’ paradise: Nurpur’s multipurpose library inaugurated

In a significant step towards promoting reading culture and supporting youth preparing for competitive exams, the Free Thinkers’ Club (Regd), a local NGO, inaugurated a multipurpose library in Nurpur town on Saturday. The facility, set up in the club’s own building at Dunga Bazar in Ward No. 3, also offers a dedicated reading space for the elderly.

The initiative fulfils a long-standing demand of the local population, achieved after overcoming multiple logistical challenges. The library is the first of its kind in the town and is being hailed as a milestone in community development.

Founded in 1986, the Free Thinkers’ Club has long been engaged in various social welfare activities in the region. However, the idea of a community library took shape only a few years ago — and has now successfully become a reality. The club also plans to offer expert guidance and preparatory tips for state and national-level career examinations on a no-profit, no-loss basis in the near future.

Dr Vipon Mahajan, president of the Free Thinkers’ Club, said enrollments for the library have begun with a nominal monthly subscription fee of Rs 100 and a refundable security deposit of Rs 1,000. The library will initially remain open twice a day — from 9 to 11 am and 6 to 8 pm.

Dr Mahajan emphasised that the library is not only aimed at helping youngsters with competitive exam preparation but also at cultivating a passion for reading. “Elderly residents will also find a selection of religious and general interest books suited to their preferences,” he added.

Local residents have welcomed and appreciated the initiative, marking it as a much-needed step toward educational empowerment and inclusive learning in Nurpur.