Surat, May 28: The Gujarat government’s ‘Watan Prem Yojana’ has turned the modern library in Nani Bhatlaw village, located in the Bardoli taluka, into a model of educational excellence. This library exemplifies how community and government collaboration can drive significant change.
According to reports, Ankit Chaudhary, the young sarpanch of Nani Bhatlaw village, initiated the library in a dilapidated community hall during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. His aim was to provide educational resources for the village’s youth. Initially operating with limited resources, the library has now transformed into a two-story modern facility, thanks to a donation of ₹7 lakh from Non-Resident Indian Pratapbhai Pandya and a government grant of ₹10.50 lakh under the ‘Watan Prem Yojana.’
The library has become a central hub for students preparing for competitive exams, serving around 15 to 20 nearby villages. It accommodates 123 students at a time, with over 100 students visiting daily. Notably, the library is open 24 hours a day and is completely free of charge, with no fees required.
Students have access to books on all subjects, Wi-Fi facilities, and provisions for online study. Nischal Chaudhary, a student from the nearby village of Barwani, shared, “I have been preparing for government jobs for the past year. This library is incredibly useful. It’s open 24 hours, and there are no fees. I can find any book I need for studying.”
Another student, Shwetaben Chaudhary, added, “The library offers free seating 24/7. It’s available for both girls and boys, and we can access any books we need at any time. They even conduct competitive tests that simulate the actual exam experience.”
This area is predominantly tribal, and students have limited educational options. The modern library, open around the clock, provides all necessary study materials and Wi-Fi for online learning.
Sarpanch Ankit Chaudhary stated, “Currently, our library has a capacity for 123 students, and we regularly accommodate students from about 15 to 20 villages. We provide Wi-Fi and all necessary books. We also arrange transportation for students whose exam centers are in Surat, Ahmedabad, or Gandhinagar.”
Every day, over 100 students come to study. To ensure that students traveling from afar have no difficulties, a hostel is also being constructed. Many students who have studied here in previous years have successfully cleared various competitive exams and are now employed in both government and private sectors. Developed under the government’s ‘Watan Prem Yojana,’ this library is now inspiring the entire state of Gujarat.
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