New Delhi, 11 July (H.S.):

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Saturday urged young people to develop the habit of visiting libraries, saying that the future of any nation is measured not by its economic prosperity but by the number of young people who frequent its libraries. He asserted that knowledge and wisdom are the true foundations of nation-building, and libraries remain their greatest source.

Shah was addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Jayaprakash Narayan Public Library in New Delhi. He described the library, established in the name of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, as a significant addition to the national capital. He said the life of Jayaprakash Narayan, an eminent freedom fighter, thinker, and steadfast defender of democracy, would continue to inspire generations of Indians.

Referring to a noted observation by a thinker, Shah said that the future of a nation is determined by the crowds in its libraries and the number of young people engaged in study there. While agriculture, industry, and markets may indicate a country's progress, he said, the true foundation of national prosperity lies in knowledge and its practical application, both of which are nurtured through libraries.

Appealing to the youth to make libraries a regular part of their lives, Shah said that consistent visits to libraries would bring positive changes to their personalities. He stressed that every subject should be studied thoroughly before forming an opinion, and libraries provide the ideal environment for such learning. He encouraged young people to rely on authentic knowledge available in books rather than hearsay.

The Home Minister cited the example of library development in his Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, where libraries housing 3,000 to 4,000 books have been established in every village and linked to a central library containing millions of books. He said four mobile library vans are also operating in the constituency, enabling students from any village to request books of their choice, which are delivered to their villages every Friday.

He added that these libraries have been integrated with local schools to cultivate reading habits among students. Shah urged the officials of the newly inaugurated library in Delhi to establish links with nearby schools and encourage students to visit regularly. Once young people develop the habit of visiting libraries, he said, books themselves will take care of the rest.

Shah also suggested that the Delhi Government work towards digitally connecting all public libraries across the capital. The two-storey modern library houses a collection of more than 32,000 books and offers separate study rooms for researchers, modern reading areas, a multipurpose auditorium, free Wi-Fi, and access to an e-library containing more than 10 million e-books.

Paying tribute to Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, the Home Minister said he played a historic role at every stage, from the freedom movement to the defence of democracy. During the Emergency, Jayaprakash Narayan led the movement to safeguard democracy and gave the call for Total Revolution from Gandhi Maidan in Bihar, inspiring a nationwide democratic awakening.

Shah said that during the Emergency, numerous opposition leaders were imprisoned, press freedoms were curtailed, and democratic institutions faced an unprecedented crisis. At such a time, he noted, the famous line by National Poet Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar'—Andhere Mein Ek Prakash, Jayaprakash (In the darkness, there is one light—Jayaprakash)—became the voice of those who stood for democracy. He added that in a democracy, governments derive their authority from the people's trust, and when power becomes blinded by arrogance, the people know how to respond.

The Home Minister also recalled Jayaprakash Narayan's belief that a nation is built not by the Prime Minister alone but through the collective efforts of millions of Indians. Shah said this idea remains as relevant today as ever and underscores the indispensable role of every citizen in nation-building.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar