In a heartening act of social service, a retired Indian Foreign Service officer has transformed his Puri residence into a vibrant, free public library, creating a vital learning hub for the city's youth. Malaya Mishra, 71, established the Sarojini Devi Memorial Library in 2021, and it has since become a beacon of knowledge for hundreds of students.
A Diplomat's Vision for His Hometown
After a distinguished career in the foreign service, Malaya Mishra retired in 2015 and returned to his roots in Puri. Driven by a desire to give back to society and address gaps in local educational access, he conceived the idea of converting part of his home into a community library. Named in memory of his late mother, the library officially opened its doors near Mochi Sahi Chowk.
The facility has registered over 600 students to date, with an average of 30 to 35 young visitors daily. It operates from 1 pm to 8 pm every day except Monday. The collection is impressive, featuring more than 5,000 books that Mishra personally collected from various countries during his diplomatic postings.
More Than Just Books: Mentorship and Community Hub
The library's impact extends far beyond its shelves. Drawing from his vast experience, Mishra personally conducts classes for students on a range of subjects including political science, economics, law, current affairs, foreign policy, and spoken English. He shares insights from his diplomatic career to help sharpen the intellectual and analytical skills of the youth.
"After studying and serving in a government job, I wanted to give something back to society," Mishra stated. He proudly noted that many students who have used the library have already secured government jobs. The library also provides access to computers, newspapers, and magazines.
It has evolved into a community centre, hosting various social programmes and cultural events that foster engagement. Managed by a librarian and support staff, the environment is noted for its cleanliness, calm, and disciplined atmosphere.
Filling a Critical Gap in Puri's Infrastructure
The initiative highlights a significant shortfall in public learning infrastructure in the pilgrim city. Puri currently has only one government library, which operates from a small rented building. Although the culture department constructed a new library building two years ago, it has not yet been made operational, making Mishra's effort even more crucial.
Librarian Deepti Ranjan Sahoo emphasized the library's unique value, citing the guidance from Mishra and its conducive environment. Regular visitor Pooja Priyadarshini, who has been coming for three years, expressed gratitude for the academic guidance and the inspiration from eminent personalities who visit. However, she echoed a common need: "Puri still needs a 24-hour library like other cities."
Another student, Ashok Sahu, appreciated the quiet atmosphere and the diverse collection beyond just textbooks. The Sarojini Devi Memorial Library stands as a powerful testament to how individual initiative can create lasting community change, empowering the next generation of Puri's students with knowledge and opportunity.
