Turning Libraries Into Skill Development Centre: Pattabmi MLA Muhsin's Ambitious Initiative
Pattambi, Kerala: Pattambi, a legislative constituency in Palakkad district, is all set to turn the libraries in its villages into people-friendly universities. The ambitious endeavour, undertaken by Muhammed Muhsin, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) is expected to make an ideal transformation and model for other constituencies to follow. While addressing a meeting as part of his visionary mission, the left MLA highlighted that with the initiative, he dreams at transforming Pattambi into a knowledge-based “learning constituency” – a first-of-its-kind endeavour by a legislator in India. Village libraries will play a major role in realizing this ambitious goal.
Speaking to Timeline, MLA Muhsin said the scheme is designed to empower people in the villages and make the libraries popular universities, by offering essential skill programmes and courses. At a time when learning is to be a lifelong process, turning village libraries, which mostly remain untouched by the youth, into a study center or skill development arena, would bring about notable change in the villages, the MLA pointed out.
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At present, the MLA claims, around 53 libraries are ready to implement the project, and he has talked with the authorities of the respective libraries. “We have devised around ten courses which include Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, first aid, and cooking” the MLA said.
According to the MLA, turning the village libraries into skill development centers would attract several people to use the opportunity, especially given the demand for technically skilled jobs these days. The project will use Shraddha software to cater the skill programs and lessons to the attendees. Later, customised software will be developed for the scheme, the MLA highlighted.
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When asked about the fund for successfully running the scheme, Muhsin explained that private funds as well as the MLA funds will be used to support the project as of now, and later, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and government grants will be incorporated into the project, he hopes.
In addition to the libraries, other facilities such as community halls, mosques, temple structures and other private buildings can also be used in the absence of a proper facility in the village libraries, the MLA pointed out.
Last year, the Pattambi MLA convened a youth summit in the city aiming to drive the constituency as a “learning constituency”, providing the youth with an opportunity to express their ideas and empowering them by giving them more opportunities. The summit was the first step towards the goal of converting the constituency into an enlightened one with awareness and education.
The key objectives of the event were discussing ideas focusing on skill enhancement, education, and innovation for youth. “Anyone can learn any new skills at any time is the primary aim of the program,” the MLA stated.
