At the entrance of Bahadurpally is something schools in a hamlet can only dream of a fully-functional library! Kavya and Sandhya, two teenagers from the village, initiated the fight for a library five years ago, and they eventually succeeded!
Interestingly, it was the girls’ school headmaster Ravindranath who inspired them to take up the challenge. “When Ravindranath sir worked hard and set up a library in school, we observed that children with access to libraries fare better academically. It was then that we realised how a society can prosper if there’s a public library,” reveals Kavya.
Explaining their initial steps towards the dream, Sandhya recalls, “In 2012, when we were in Class VIII, we first carried a representation to the sarpanch (village head) about setting up a public library. He responded positively and asked for two years’ time. Meanwhile, with the help of other friends, the campaign gained momentum as we started distributing pamphlets in the village emphasising the significance of a library. We met various people to spread the awareness.”
The most challenging part of their journey, however, was their friends backing off midway. “But it didn’t dampen our spirits,” Kavya says, adding, “Our parents supported us and asked us not to give up. They stood by us during tough times and were instrumental in keeping our focus and told us not to get disheartened.”
Sandhya describes their triumphant path as an eye opener and a great experience. “When we initiated the campaign, several people discouraged us and asked: ‘Is there any need to initiate this?’ But we weren’t disheartened and stuck to our task. We met people from different walks of life in the process and it was a liberating experience getting to know about life.”
The new library already features more than 600 books and there are several who are coming forward to donate more. “We’re glad that years of our hard work has paid off. Everyone is accessing the library and many are coming forward to donate books. That’s heartening,” says Kavya, who is pursuing her first year in BSc.
Meanwhile, the Zilla Parishad High School headmaster, Ravindranath, says that the two girls have now been a source of inspiration to the village. “Accolades are being poured on them, but what’s better to see is that their academic records are brilliant. Their education never got side lined in this fight for a library. Since they studied in this school, I have been seeing them over the last few years; they have the potential to be civil servants.”
Without a doubt, the courageous and wise Kavya and Sandhya are true epitomes of the saying: ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!
