Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government launched the state’s first Braille library on Sunday. Located at the Dr Shakuntala Mishra National Rehabilitation University (DSMNRU), the facility houses more than 4,000 books.
This initiative aligns with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s focus on inclusive education and empowerment for persons with disabilities. An official statement confirmed the library’s inauguration.
Library Inauguration and Purpose
The new library is on the first floor of the Swami Vivekananda Central Library on the DSMNRU campus. Vice-Chancellor Acharya Sanjay Singh inaugurated the facility. During the ceremony, Singh paid floral tributes to the statue of Louis Braille, the creator of the Braille script, on his birth anniversary.
Addressing attendees, Singh encouraged visually impaired students towards self-reliance. He instructed the university administration to provide modern computer training. Singh emphasized that the Braille script serves as a crucial educational tool for visually impaired individuals. It helps them engage with mainstream society.
Extensive Book Collection and Facilities
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Backwards Classes Welfare and Divyangjan Empowerment Narendra Kashyap provided details on the library’s collection. He stated the library holds over 4,000 academic books based on the National Education Policy (NEP). These books cover 54 undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
The university’s Braille press published these materials. Kashyap highlighted that DSMNRU is the first university in Uttar Pradesh to develop such an organized Braille library section with this large collection.
The facility also includes a reading room with seating for over 150 students. University spokesperson and library in-charge Prof Yashwant Viroday announced a target to increase the book count to 10,000 this year. Beyond academic texts, the library offers novels, plays, biographies, and other literary works.
Membership and Accessibility
The library’s services extend beyond university students. Visually impaired persons from outside the university can access resources through a membership program. This reflects the chief minister’s focus on education for all.
Membership Options:
- Special Membership: Available to scholars, researchers, academicians, and Lucknow residents. Applicants must submit two residential proofs with the membership form. University guest faculty, retired teachers, and staff can also obtain special membership by paying a prescribed fee.
- Casual Membership: Grants access for up to six months at a time. Users pay a fee to utilize library resources. This membership type does not allow for book issuance to irregular members.
- Corporate Membership: Specific details were not provided in the official statement.