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With books starting from farmers’ points to Bhagat Singh’s biography, a makeshift library set up by a group of 5 on the Ghazipur border noticed many protesters making a beeline on Sunday afternoon.
Reading the primary few pages of ‘Sultana ka Sapna’ — a 1905 novel by Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain that envisions a utopian feminist society — Sukhbeer Singh (75), a farmer from a village in Western UP, stated: “I always read in times of trouble. But I didn’t bring any books with me when I left. I will borrow Rs 50-100 from my son so that I can buy a few now.”
The choice was rigorously curated by the group — principally about farmers or freedom fighters, together with some translated speeches and works of literature.
Alok, a microbiologist who works in Delhi and is among the many organisers, stated individuals can purchase the books at affordable charges starting from Rs 5 to Rs 30 or borrow them: “We are from a group called Vikalp Manch. We are from different backgrounds — some of us are students, I work as a microbiologist. But we share a love for books and hope to engage with the protesters. Many of them read a lot back in their villages but since they did not carry anything to read, we decided to do this.”
“I have been around farmers since I was young and can understand their issues,” stated the 31-year-old who hails from UP’s Jaunpur.
Priced at Rs 5, a booklet in regards to the three farm payments was a best-seller. By early night, virtually everybody within the neighborhood had a copy whereas others enquired about different books and took strategies from the group.
Manoj Yadav (22), a farmer from UP’s Prayagraj, stated: “There is a book about the farmers’ protest in 2018. My father was here then but I couldn’t participate. I look forward to reading it.”
He bought three different books and borrowed one other three: “I want to read so that I can go back to my village and educate others about these topics.”
Runny (20), one other member, who’s initially from Baghpat, has a farming background however determined to pursue teachers. Yet, farmers’ points function prominently on this Jamia graduate’s life and work. He stated, “We have meetings every week where we discuss a number of issues. Some of our friends also contribute to a journal about farmers, while we help with compiling, translation, and proofreading.”
The youngest within the group is 17-year-old Utsa Parveen, who grew up seeing members meet up as her father is an energetic member. She stated, “We had a similar set up at Singhu border recently, with mostly Punjabi books.”
The different volunteers have been Shalu Panwar (22) from Aligarh, and Mohit Kumar (25) from Shamli. Depending on the situation and pursuits of the reader, the 5 gave personalised studying suggestions to farmers. The books will likely be accessible day by day and the group stated they might replenish their inventory and get extra books as soon as all are bought out. They additionally sang ‘mera rang de basanti chola’ because the farmers watched and stated they plan to organise extra cultural actions on the website.
The volunteers stated they’re a youth group that seeks to supply alternate types of writing and humanities.
© The Indian Express (P) Ltd
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