Eureka library opened in Hasanur hills

A “Eureka Library” has been opened at a “Pulikutees” evening study centre in the Hasanur hill area of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve to improve reading habits and knowledge among tribal children. K. Prakash, Forest Range Officer, Environment Improvement, Hasanur, inaugurated the library at the centre in Arepalayam.
SUDAR, a voluntary organisation, runs evening study centres in 20 tribal villages within the tiger reserve with support from the Forest Department. The initiative seeks to prevent school dropouts and ensure that children continue formal education. Around 500 children attend these centres.
With public library facilities limited in remote hill settlements, the new library aims to provide children access to learning beyond school textbooks. It will stock books on children’s literature, science, history and general knowledge. The library has been designed so that students can easily access and read books according to their interests. Speaking at the inauguration, Mr. Prakash said creating educational resources for children in remote areas was essential. He added that reading could improve children’s knowledge and thinking skills.SUDAR said the study centres would be developed not merely as places for completing school lessons, but as knowledge hubs where children can read freely, learn new subjects and express their
creativity.
The organisation said the initiative has been welcomed in hill villages where public libraries are scarce. SUDAR director S.C. Nataraj, Vanavar S. Nagarnisha and volunteer teacher Renuka attended the event.