Phagwara’s library-cum-reading room to be revived, says MC Chief

In a promising step towards rejuvenating Phagwara’s literary and intellectual culture, a delegation of renowned local writers submitted a memorandum to Dr Akshita Gupta, Commissioner of Municipal Corporation Phagwara, and Joginder Singh Mann, former Punjab Minister and current Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) constituency in-charge.

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The memorandum called for the immediate reopening of the long-defunct library-cum-reading room in the city.

Speaking on the occasion, Gurmeet Singh Palahi, General Secretary of the Punjabi Virsa Trust (Regd.), emphasised the historical importance of the facility. He explained that the library, originally established during the PEPSU era by the then Municipal Council, was further expanded with the construction of a dedicated Guru Nanak Dev Library building in 1984. The library once housed a vast collection of books, research materials, storage racks, and even had a designated position for a library restorer.

However, over the years, the condition of the books and infrastructure has deteriorated drastically. The building is now being repurposed by the Municipal Corporation for non-library functions, a move that the delegation believes undermines the space’s original educational and cultural mission.

Once a thriving hub for literary discussions, poetry recitals, and cultural events, the library played a crucial role in nurturing creative minds in Phagwara. The delegation stressed the urgent need to restore the space for the benefit of students, researchers, writers and the general public.

In response to the request, Dr Akshita Gupta and Joginder Singh Mann assured the delegation that the Municipal Corporation would take immediate steps to reopen the library-cum-reading room, recognising its importance as both a cultural and educational resource for the city.

The delegation was comprised of SKEP President Ravinder Chhot, Principal Gurmeet Singh Palahi, Taranjeet Singh Kinnra (President of the Punjabi Art & Literary Centre), Kamlesh Sandhu, Advocate SL Virdi, Master Sukhdev Singh, Parvinderjeet Singh and renowned ghazal poet Baldev Raj Komal.