Mizos find respite from lockdown blues in doorstep library service
The Young Mizo Association (YMA) has come up with'doorstep library' service to put an end to boredom, boostmorale and promote the habit of reading.
The 'Kawtkai Library' -- offering books from a varietyof genres in English and Mizo languages -- was rolled out bythe Ramhlun South branch of YMA on April 18.
Ramhlun South is one of the biggest localities inAizawl with at least 1,500 houses.
"The idea was conceived soon after the imposition ofthe lockdown... Our members are reaching out to people attheir doorsteps with at least eight categories of books," saidB Lalmalasawma, chairman of the library and documentationsub-committee.
"The primary purpose was to encourage reading booksand effective utilisation of free time, apart from boostingthe morale of people," he told , adding, the idea alsofound resonance with YMA's theme of the year to promotereading and learning.
Under this arrangement, a reader can borrow a maximumof four books free of cost for 10 days.
Established in 1935, YMA is the largest philanthropicorganisation in Mizoram with around 4.5 lakh members.
YMA Ramhlun South branch secretary Hrathmingthangasaid pictures of books are shared on a WhatsApp group of thelocality to enable people to make their selection.
"We also collect the books from the readers' homes,and social distancing is strictly followed while distributingand collecting books," Hrathmingthanga said.
He said the YMA branch is also planning to give awayprizes to readers borrowing the most number of books.
The Ramhlun branch of YMA started its own publiclibrary in 1985 and was recognised by the state government in1991.
The library has a collection of over 1,500 books,Hrathmingthanga said.
With a literacy rate of 91.33 per cent, Mizoram isthird in the country after Kerala and Lakshadweep, accordingto the 2011 Census. CORRRBT RBT