Tuesday, 06 October 2020 | PNS | Dehradun
Celebrating 99 years of imparting knowledge and learning to several people every day in Dehradun, the iconic Mahatma Khushi Ram Public Library stepped into the 100th year of the library on October 5. To celebrate this milestone, the president of board of trustees, Vijay Bansal organised an event on Monday. The director of postal services in Uttarakhand, SK Rai was the chief guest of the event wherein a first day cover was released. Rai stated that the library was founded by Mahatma Khushi Ram on October 4, 1921 who was a retired postmaster and was capable of understanding the importance of imparting knowledge and education among people years before India got independence. He said that in today’s time when everybody is running after money, Khushi Ram put all his money into the library to make it accessible for locals which is what makes this library iconic.
Moreover, Bansal stated that the library entered its 100th year on October 5 and with this new year, the digital presence of the library will be made strong so that more people can connect with the library and for this, the management will soon host a website of the library. Bansal said, “There is a collection of about 45,000 books on various subjects and topics including science, literature, mythology and religion and every collection is valuable. We also have a unique collection of the books on Vedas, Quran and other religious books.” Bansal also added that this library is a temple of learning established by Mahatma Khushi Ram, therefore it is possible that a postage stamp will be released to commemorate his contribution as the trust is making efforts to make it possible by the next year. Rai also added that people like Khushi Ram are quite rare in the present times and he will also help Bansal to approach the State government to release this postage stamp as soon as possible to commemorate such a great personality. Apart from this, senior superintendent of post offices of Dehradun, Ansuya Prasad Chamola was also present in the event. He said that as a student, he had studied in the library and has always admired its contribution to the lives of so many people. It is a historic moment that this iconic library has completed 99 years this month, added Chamola.
