Dr.Jaswant Singh Visionary - Libraries in Punjab
Channel: Joginder Kalsi
Date: 2021-05-31

Dr. Jaswant Singh, an NRI from Michigan, USA, served as a librarian had the ambition to educate masses in Punjab by establishing libraries,  after his retirement. After surveying the ground realities of almost non-existent and unknown public library services in rural areas, he started bookmobile library services in villages of Jurrahan, Rangoowal, and Phallewal in November 2003 that were extended to Gujjarwal, Kalakh and Dhulkot in the Pakhowal in Ludhiana district.

The bookmobile served about 1500 active users.  The US modelled bookmobile library services cost him about four million in Indian currency. The library services were free to all the users in the six villages and continued till March 2009. The 26 feet long bookmobile had about 3000 books (with annual growth of about 10% new additions) on varied subjects, especially for
children. Everyone has the right to free access to books and libraries in a democratic and welfare society, he used to say. The purpose of the mobile library was to introduce and promote reading culture among the village children. “The bookmobile has promoted the reading culture among the young generation” testified one village elder. This project, partially funded by the Anant Education and Rural Development Foundation, Inc., Grand Ledge, Michigan, U.S.A. was operated by Anant Memorial Charitable Trust (Regd.), Jarohan, District Ludhiana. 

Unfortunately, the bookmobile had to be stopped due to the unreasonable, illogical and callous red-tapism which levied a high commercial tax on the vehicle carrying the mobile library. He decided to upgrade it to a permanent library in his village Jurahan. In December 2010, the Trust built a new public library building with modern looks and facilities (Bhagwanti Yadgari Public
Library) in Jurahan, District Ludhiana. Library services are given free to all in Jurahan and previously served villages by the bookmobile. Dr. Jaswant Singh with his selflessness and high morals inspired a few more like-minded Punjabi NRIs to emulate his example. He inspired and guided them in building libraries in their villages. He was instrumental in establishing NRI sponsored libraries in village Dhesian Sang district Jallandhar, Lopon Badhni, Rauni and in his own village Jurrahan all in Malwa territory.

All these libraries, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities with Internet connectivity not only provide a congenial ambience for reading but also each has an integral skill development centre. All these libraries have a computer Centre for information access and computer training.

Dr. Jaswant Singh lobbied strongly with Punjab Government to pass the Library act, he spent for which he spent a lot of his own money to get it passed but Government after Government did not pay heed to it. It is still lying on a minister desk. He left us on May 17, 2020 at the age of 88. We salute this pioneer who had such a noble mission in his mind. 

Dr. Jaswant Singh is missed by his family, friends, fans, and every life that he has touched during his lifetime.  May he Rest In Peace.