Helps youth pursue education in a peaceful ambience
MIR ARSHID
BUDGAM, Oct 13: Irfan Ali from central Kashmir’s Gazirgund area of District Budgam has set up a library, a first-of-its-kind initiative in his small village to help youth enjoy books and prepare for examinations.
Irfan did his schooling at Government Boys Higher Secondary School Budgam and completed his B.Sc from Government Degree college Budgam. He is currently preparing for civil service exams.
Talking to the Kashmir Despatch, Irfan said that while pursuing graduation, he dreamt about cracking the UPSC but “due to the lack of guidance and proper counseling, I couldn’t prepare for it properly.”
In the year 2019, Irfan heard about the Zakat Foundation of India and after clearing the scholarship exam, he moved to Delhi for coaching through it.
During the few months that he spent in Delhi, Irfan says that he saw beautiful libraries where he used to spend a good time. “It gave me the idea that I could establish a similar library back in my hometown, to help youth who can not afford books or other study material.”
Irfan started his library from a small rented room in his home town and after the number of students visiting the library increased, he changed the place and shifted to the well-maintained complex.
He also opted for a loan to set up the infrastructure of the library. The library now consists of individual single cabins for reading purposes and has more than 300 books on UPSC alone.
Irfan named his library, IQRA Library-Cum-Study Hall. The salient features of his library include material for IAS, KAS, JKSSB, SSC, NEET, JEE, and GATE.
He offers free books, study material, notes, and daily newspapers to the students visiting his library for reading purposes. Free guidance and Free regular mock tests are also provided.
He told Kashmir Despatch that his passion and love for books have been widely appreciated by people and authorities alike. Deputy Commissioner Budgam, SF Hamid, has visited the library and appreciated Irfan’s determination for setting up the first-of-its-kind library in Budgam.
When asked to give a message to the youth, Irfan said that “youth should have the determination to do something and dedicate themselves to studies.”
