Ratlam district has opened six Gyanarjan Libraries, one in each development block, offering students quiet study spaces, books, computers and high-speed internet for Re 1 an hour. The facilities were inaugurated at 10 am on Friday, on the occasion of Dhanteras, according to an official release reported by the Times of India.
The libraries have been created by upgrading existing government buildings. The project was funded through the Zila Panchayat’s untied funds under the 15th Finance Commission, with each library costing Rs 5 lakh. The total outlay for the six facilities is Rs 30 lakh.
The initiative is intended to provide students and young people with access to a structured study environment, particularly those who do not have adequate space, internet connectivity or educational resources at home. The facilities are also designed to support preparation for competitive examinations, higher education and regular online learning.
Each library has comfortable chairs and tables, books covering a range of subjects, study material for competitive examinations, computer systems and high-speed internet. The premises are to be maintained as quiet, clean and orderly spaces so that users can study without disruption.
The locations span government and local administrative premises across Ratlam district. In Alot block, the library has been established inside a government primary school. In Ratlam block, it is located on the premises of a government girls’ school. The facilities in Bajna, Piploda, Jaora and Sailana blocks have been set up on Janpad Panchayat premises.
The district administration has adopted a low-cost user fee of Re 1 per hour to make the facilities accessible to economically weaker students and young people in rural areas. The libraries are expected to serve students from both rural and urban communities within the district, although the release did not specify their operating hours, maximum capacity or the process for registering users.
The libraries will be managed by women from self-help groups, known locally as “didis”, linked to the Ajeevika Mission. Each centre also has an attached Didi Cafe serving tea, coffee and light snacks. The cafes are intended to provide refreshments within the study centres while creating an additional livelihood and self-employment opportunity for rural women.
The project was implemented under the guidance of Ratlam Collector Ajay Katesaria and the direction of Zila Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Vaishali Jain. The district administration has not stated whether the libraries will be expanded to other locations or whether their performance and usage will be assessed through a formal monitoring system.
