In an initiative that challenges stereotypes about reading habits,a library has been set up for factory workers living in the Economically Weaker Section(EWS) colony in the city. Following high demand for books from the workers,the Textile Mazdoor Union has taken the initiative to start a Mazdoor Pustakalya in the colony. The Mazdoor union has contributed about Rs 15,000 to start this library and a small room has been taken on rent for the time being. Slowly,the operations will be expanded,said Rajwinder Singh,a member of the union. Most of the time,the common perception is that workers from UP and Bihar are illiterate and even if they are literate,they dont know how to read. But the trend is changing now and many new workers who come to the factories are either matriculate or have passed Class 12. In the evening,many members want to read something. So we took the initiative to start this library in which Yadgaari hall has also donated many books on the freedom movement of India while we have purchased books related to General knowledge and other subjects, added Rajwinder. According to Rajwinder,the library will cater to school children as well,with the National book trust pitching in with books related to Science,Social Sciences and languages. We did a soft launch of this small library about a month back and we already have more than 50 members. School kids can also benefit and moreover the workers will have a place to sit in the evening rather than indulge in bad habits, he said.
