Revered
Sir Anand Sarup, in his Convocation Address to the Graduates of Agra University
in 1935, said, “For, is not education defined as the technique of transmitting,
as completely as possible, to as many as possible, that technological,
intellectual, moral and artistic heritage through which the race forms the
growing individual and makes him human. Admittedly, all children are born
helpless fools, and it is education that makes them behave like human beings,
and it is education again that has placed mankind today on a plane higher than
any generation had reached before.”1
Books
play an important role in this transmission and libraries are great
institutions to foster this learning.
In
the words of Revered Prof. Prem Saran Satsangi, “If we try to maximize the
information entropy of the knowledge base about the universe of discourse then
we might be able to transform this knowledge base into a wisdom base.”2
Our
post this week is on the Dayalbagh Children’s Library helping transform children
into wise humans and leaders, and to quote Margaret Fuller,
“Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader”.
The post
below is by Dr. Sarla Paul, Professor Emeritus in the Education Department of
Dayalbagh Educational Institute and the Library in-charge of the Dayalbagh
Children’s Library (बाल पुस्तकालय).
Over to Dr. Paul.
Anurag
----------------------------
Dr. Paul writes…
“Reading
is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”, says Richard Steele. The need of
reading has also been explained by Mortimer Adler in his statement, “Reading is
a basic tool in living of a good life.” There is no substitute for books in the
life of a child.
Since
the foundation of the Dayalbagh Community, an Ashram in 1915, it has been the aim to nurture the residents in an
environment combining the best of the secular and spiritual worlds- a life of Better
Worldliness – establishing Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man in this
world of growing violence, moral degradation and discontentment. The grooming
of young minds to be worthy leaders in various fields of Administration, Science,
Art and Culture, Academics, Engineering, Business and Commerce and Social Science
has been a priority. The path to attain this goal is through quality and
value-based education supported by multifarious activities like extensive reading
in Library, Games and Sports, Cultural and Creative Activities along with
participation in Agricultural Activities to keep them deeply rooted to their
rich agrarian Cultural and Spiritual Heritage.
A
rich supplement to holistic education of young minds in the community is the
provision of reading resources through the Children’s Library also known as “Bal
Pustakalaya”, situated in the serene and vibrant
environment of Prem Nagar, a Mohalla of Dayalbagh. The Bal
Pustakalaya was set up as an independent unit
in March 1994. Since then, it is offering its services to boys and girls
studying in Classes 1 to 10 in Dayalbagh. The library has a rich collection of
books (six and a half thousand) and magazines (9 regular subscriptions) in the
areas of fiction, stories, recreational reading, science, biology, mythology,
culture, philosophy, poetry, health and hygiene etc. with an objective to
provide each child with opportunities to grow in the area of their interest and
aptitude. Books and magazines are purchased every year through the financial
assistance provided by the Radhasoami Urban Cooperative Bank Ltd. Dayalbagh,
Agra.
The
Library offers facilities of in-library reading and issuing of books. In
addition to this, Summer Intensive programmes are organised to enrich students’
knowledge and awareness in various fields helping them prepare to lead a better
life. Some of the themes covered under the Summer Programme are Structure and
Functions of Human Brain, Higher Consciousness, Super and Artificial
Intelligence, Chakra Energy, Biographies of great Scientists and eminent Personalities
of the world, awareness regarding various values and their importance in life.
These topics are presented in technology-based, interactive methods suited to
the interests of children.
Initially,
to develop interest in children, the Library conducted a programme of
dramatised story telling in the tradition of ‘Nani Ki Kahani’ (Stories told by Grandma). To sharpen their intellectual,
literary and creative skills, fun competitions like theme-based Drawing and Painting,
Poetry Recitation, Elocution, Speech Contests have also been organised. Through
continuous efforts of the Library, perceptible changes are visible in Children’s
enthusiasm, attraction and abilities for enriched reading.
A
comparative study of library going and non – library going students in the
schools of Dayalbagh was conducted, with a significant impact being found in the
level of consciousness in the library going children.
The
activities of the Library culminate in the much-awaited Annual Bal
Pustak Mela (Children’s Book Festival). The
highlights of the Mela (Festival)
include The Book Exchange Programme, showcasing of selected Books and New
additions of books and magazines to the Library stock, Display of the glimpses
of Summer Programme, a short but engaging Cultural Programme, and provision of
snacks to give a feel of the Mela.
It has been our good fortune that Bal Pustak Mela has been graced by the visits of Revered Prof. Prem Saran
Satsangi. In the year 2012, Revered Prof. Satsangi observed that Bal
Pustak Mela has acquired the additional dimension
of ‘Sanskriti
Mela’ (Cultural Fair). Since then, its nomenclature has changed
to ‘Bal
Pustak and Sanskriti Mela’.
References:
- Discourses on Education in Dayalbagh: A Vision of Complete Education, First Edition – page 59
- Discourses on Education in Dayalbagh: A Vision of Complete Education, First Edition – page 205
Francis Bacon,an eminent essayist is right when he writes "Reading maketh a full man,writing an exact man and conference a ready man. Reading keeps one fully informed and this habit is to be cultivated from childhood. Bal Pustkalaya being run by Mahila Association in Dayalbagh deserves all praise as it caters to the interest of all levels by covering a vast variety of Sanskriti. As wisely said some books are to be chewed and digested while others require cursory reading. Reading generates confidence and broadens the horizon of mind, stimulates thinking and reasoning faculties. My deeply felt congrats to Bal Pustkalaya committee in their endeavor to train n develop young minds.
ReplyDeleteThat's the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet."- writes author Jhumpa Lahiri in her prizewinning novel-The Namesake.Bal Pustakalaya in Dayalbagh is doing just this,giving wings to children's imagination,opening the windows of their minds to the world around them and igniting their thoughts toward building a better tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteLibraries play an important role in knowledge of our immediate surroundings,world at large,visible universe and also beyond.Public libraries, University libraries had been very useful in gaining general knowledge.One's time is not wasted even if one has to go a couple of miles.Reading Dayalbagh Herald,Prem Pracharak in languages familiar to one,also helps in improving language
ReplyDeleteDayalbagh is a spiritual library.
ReplyDeletesince the library has opened it has given confidence and opportunity to children who were never exposed to such facility at home or in school. the teachers here play a true role of a parent and they also select the books as per the need of the young library members.the location of the library is an added advantage to attract members and works as a motivator.rajiv narain
ReplyDeleteTrue.Books cannot be substituted with net surfing or TV,which bombard us with advertisements,which interfere the concentration and privacy, besides wasting lot of precious time.In outside DB pattern colonies also, besides CRC Centres books should be made available to children,who will be super humans,in conducive environment.RADHASOAMI
DeleteThe habit of reading has to be cultivated at a very young age . In this age of gadgets, it is not easy to make children read. Parents have to make a effort to teach them to read, starting with reading to them when they are young . Once the child learns to enjoy books the world opens out in front of him . This is the biggest gift a parent can give a child .
ReplyDeleteIt's necessary to inculcate reading habits among children as they are now a days engaged in mobiles and television.
ReplyDeleteBooks are your real friends .Always help in gaining insight .
ReplyDeleteWord, though inanimate, when woven into the fabric of a book have the ability to conjure up images and fire one's imagination. Books indeed are the source of creative thought and the catalyst for progress. Indeed, children must be guided to read and learn from this vast ocean of knowledge which the legacy of our fore fathers. Engaged in reading, the children of Dayalbagh's are indeed with their best friend & guide.
ReplyDeleteBooks are windows to the world. Physically one may not be able to travel across the world and interact and learn about different cultures, but using books, which fire our imagination, we can do that. Instead of wasting time on TV, a guided exposure to the mysterious world through books will be a most cherished activiy for the children. A culture of reading, analysing and discussion will definitely inculcate scientific temper in kids. These kids are really fortunate.
ReplyDeleteScientific temperament is the need of the hour. Correct.
ReplyDeleteOur Holy Books contain precious pieces of writing one cannot ignore. Santon ki baanI mein kya likha hai kisko pata. Radhasoami. It's a library of faith n love.
ReplyDelete