MALAPPURAM: In a noble attempt, two expatriate students from Dubai have set up a library at the Government Vocational Higher Secondary School in Vengara for the more than 2,000 students in the school to experience the magic of the world of books. The fully computerised library 'Aksharam', with more than 5,000 books and a reading room, was set up by Amir Fadil and Anirudh Mahesh, class 12 students of Emirates International School in Dubai, as part of their voluntary social service.
Amir and Anirudh, who originally hail from Malappuram and Kochi respectively, were about to fly to Mauritius like their fellow students to help village schools there as part of their social work, when they thought to doing something different and more touching. "We thought why can't we do it for the people of our own country than somewhere else and so decided to go ahead with the plan to set up a library in the government run school where my grandfather studied," said Mr. Fadil who is one of the grandchildren of Indian Union Muslim League leader P.K. Kunhalikutty, MP.
The youngsters collected the money needed for the initiative utilizing their talents in art and music. Fadil, a budding painter, conducted exhibition of his works in Dubai to raise money while Mahesh held demonstrations of his guitar skills at various events in Dubai. "The inspiration of our joint project is the Year of Giving programme of the UAE government. 2017 is being observed as the year of giving in UAE," said Mr. Mahesh. Shashi Tharoor, MP, inaugurated the library on Friday afternoon in a ceremony held at the school. While most of the books, both in English and Malayalam, for the library have been collected from various donors, the library was furnished by the duo using their own creative talents.
