Spreading the light of knowledge

With educational institutions being closed owing to the pandemic, children living in the hill tracts had been severely affected, as remote learning remained a distant dream for them.

However, a Marma youth did not just sit idle. Under the banner "Esho boi pori, alokito manush gori" (Let's read books and build enlightened humans), he built a library at Koingri Para of Khagrachhari's Guimara upazila to spread the light of education.

"It's been a dream of mine to build a place where village students could gather for exchanging knowledge, and get inspired to pursue higher education," said Chittagong University (CU) student Tanimong Marma, initiator of the project.

"I called my friends and some juniors to build the library, after discussing with local leaders, who appreciated our initiative."

Locals also chipped in to help with the project.

"Some villagers helped us by providing wood. Others provided bamboo and tin, and through their contributions, our library came to life on September 28, last year," said Tanimong.

The library was named in Marma language "Koingri Panna Arong Library" which in Bangla means "Gyaner Alo Pathagar".

They created a students' committee which looks after the library rotationally.

"For many decades this has been our ancestral home, yet the socio-economic conditions and state of education is dire. Now there's 500 books in this library, collected from different cultural institutes and other organisations for learners' access," Tanimong said.

"Every day, students from Boro Thali Para Govt Primary School, Guimara Model High School and College and indigenous communities avail the library's resources. A range of events like poetry recitation and debating are also hosted here."

Besides that, the members also conduct fundraising programmes for students going through a financial or family crisis.

Just a few months ago, the practice of education under Marma tongue started there. Parents also push their children to finish homework at the library, aware of the support they can get there, he said.