Pune News
Pune Zilla Parishad to Convert Community Halls into Knowledge Centers and Libraries
In a pioneering initiative, the Pune Zilla Parishad is repurposing community halls, known as Samaj Mandirs, into libraries and learning centres under the program titled ‘Samaj Mandir to Gyan Mandir.’ This initiative aims to enhance access to knowledge resources, skill development, and digital literacy for rural communities.Pune Zilla Parishad oversees 1,300 community halls across various villages. In the financial year 2023-24, 350 of these halls were successfully converted into Gyan Mandirs.
For the upcoming fiscal year 2024-25, 237 additional community halls will be transformed, followed by the conversion of another 400 halls in 2025-26.Each Gyan Mandir will be furnished with two tables, ten chairs, cupboards, and two sets of 126 books each, covering topics such as current affairs, history, and social reformers. Furthermore, each library will be equipped with a computer to promote digital literacy in rural areas.Due to the positive response from villagers, the Pune Zilla Parishad is also considering transforming some of these libraries into computer training centres, depending on the population size and demand within each village.
Gajanan Patil, CEO of Pune ZP, stated, “Our aim is to establish these Gyan Mandirs as the knowledge hubs of their villages. While libraries will remain free, computer training will incur nominal charges for certification. We expect the entire project to be completed within the next three months.”Pune Zilla Parishad is collaborating with Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited (MKCL) to offer skill development programs, including the MS-CIT certification course at minimal fees, ensuring students acquire essential computer skills for job applications, distance learning, and other needs like filling examination forms.This community-driven approach involves village volunteers managing the libraries, with overall supervision by the gram sevak of each village.
This structure fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among villagers, making it a collaborative effort rather than a government-imposed initiative.“We have designed this initiative with a demand-driven approach to ensure active community involvement, making it a sustainable project,” said Radhakishan Devdhe, District Social Welfare Officer.Pune Zilla Parishad has allocated nearly Rs 2 lakh per community hall for its transformation into a Gyan Mandir. Additional funding of Rs 1 lakh is available for structural repairs or basic infrastructure needs based on the condition of the property.
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