Muskaan Ahirwar is student of class 5 living in the slum area of Bhopal. While most children of her age spend time in playing with their friends, this little girl has opened a small library to encourage others to read.
According to her books are the best way to promote knowledge in the world.
The efforts of the little girl have been recognized by the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and he has offered the help of INR 2 lakh, which will help her in setting a proper library. Chouhan met the girl at the residence and handed the a cheque of INR 2 lakh to her.
“The situation would soon change if girls like Muskan are extended support by the whole society. The government will extend all possible support,” Chouhan said while handing over the cheque to the girl.
All this started when the State Education Board visited the slum and handed 25 books to the children to share and read. Among the children Muskaan was most curious about the books and seeing her curiosity officials gave her, the responsibility to educate other children of the slum.
‘Bal Pustakalayaʼ is the name of the library which Muskaan runs and from mere 25 books the library has now grown to accommodate the 1000 books.
All hope for continuing the library was lost when her father died on July 7, this year. But, now after receiving the financial aid she is determined more than ever and says that nothing can stop her.
“Papa used to say do something big, study hard,” says Muskan, who wants to be a doctor.
“Nearly 20 to 25 children come to the library (every day). They have to sit on a mat. A few children take the books to their homes and return it later. In a bid to know if they read the books, I sometimes ask questions from it," she says.
The library remains open 5pm to 7pm every day.