A writer in Wayanad sets a model for setting up village libraries

Harris Nenmeni, a Malayalam writer from Wayanad, is in an elated mood as he has accomplished his mission: to collect maximum number of worthy books to set up a library in his village for the young generation. The one-man army travelled nearly 2,642 km across the State to collect as many as 1,430 books, worth more than ₹4 lakh, from his literary circle, friends, readers, and well-wishers. After setting up a collective of readers called ‘Sraddha’ at Malankara, Mr. Nenmeni, a front office attendant at the taluk office at Sulthan Bathery, ventured into the mission of opening the library. Mr. Nenmeni posted the matter on social media on Republic Day this year and expressed his wish to collect books from anywhere in the State. Mr. Nenmeni has set up a model for establishing village libraries, says Tigi Cheruthottil, vice president, of Nenmeni grama panchayat.