New Delhi, July 11 (IANS) Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, on Saturday inaugurated the Jayaprakash Narayan Public Library, a state-of-the-art multimedia and digital knowledge centre spread over three floors that was developed by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and stressed that the foundation of every activity that takes a nation forward is knowledge.Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, NDMC Chairperson Keshav Chandra, and NDMC Vice Chairman Kuljeet Singh Chahal were present at the inauguration ceremony.Addressing the gathering, HM Shah described the opening of the library as a significant milestone for the national Capital and stressed the importance of reading in shaping both individuals and the nation. He also urged the Delhi government to integrate all public libraries under a common network and develop a mechanism to connect schools with them.

"Today is an important day for Delhi as we are dedicating a library in the name of Jayaprakash Narayan. A great thinker once said that the future of a nation is not determined by how crowded its markets are or how many industries it has, but by how many young people visit libraries," he said.Appealing to the youth to cultivate the habit of reading, the Home Minister said libraries play a transformative role in personality development and intellectual growth."I want to urge the younger generation to become members of libraries. As you continue reading over time, you will notice remarkable changes in your personality and thinking. I say this from my own experience. I was born in a small town, but we had a library there. Looking back, I feel fortunate because that library shaped my life," he said.HM Shah said that every activity contributing to nation-building begins with knowledge and wisdom, which are nurtured through libraries.

"The foundation of every activity that takes a nation forward is knowledge. Wisdom and its practical application come only through learning, and libraries are the greatest source of that learning. Before expressing an opinion, one should first read and understand the subject. Libraries make this possible," he said.Recalling his own initiatives, Shah said he had worked to establish libraries in every village of his parliamentary constituency. He also appealed to librarians to actively engage educational institutions and encourage students to make use of library facilities."I request librarians to connect with universities and educational institutions across at least ten Assembly constituencies and motivate young people to visit libraries. Reading should become a daily habit," he said.The Home Minister also urged the Delhi government to prepare a comprehensive plan to digitally connect all libraries in the capital and establish strong linkages with schools so that students develop reading habits from an early age.

Highlighting the facilities available at the newly inaugurated library, Shah said it houses a collection of more than 30,000 books and offers dedicated spaces for researchers, children, and general readers. The library also features a modern multipurpose auditorium, a research centre, children's zone, spacious reading halls, and an e-library providing access to nearly one crore digital books. The entire campus is equipped with free Wi-Fi."This is a wonderful opportunity for the people of Delhi. They can access nearly one crore e-books free of cost through this digital platform," he said.He also emphasised the importance of reading Indian literary works and said that understanding the country's heritage requires engaging with its great writers. He remarked that without reading celebrated poets like Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar', it is difficult to fully appreciate India's civilisational ethos.Paying tribute to Jayaprakash Narayan, after whom the library has been named, Shah described him as one of India's most influential freedom fighters and social reformers.

"I thank the Delhi government for naming this library after Jayaprakash Narayan. He dedicated his life to the nation and stood firmly for democratic values. During the Quit India Movement, he escaped from prison to continue participating in the freedom struggle. He later founded the Congress Socialist Party, promoted the Sarvodaya movement, established several ashrams, and played an important role in persuading many extremists to surrender and return to the mainstream," he said.Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also addressed the gathering and described the inauguration as a memorable occasion."Today is a very special day for all of us. We are dedicating a magnificent library to the people of Delhi, and what makes it even more meaningful is that it has been named after Jayaprakash Narayan. We are honoured that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has inaugurated this landmark institution," she said.

/IANS