Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday, 11 July inaugurated the Jayaprakash Narayan Public Library in New Delhi, a three-floor multimedia and digital knowledge centre developed by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). Shah described the occasion as a significant milestone for the national capital and underscored that knowledge is the bedrock of every activity that propels a nation forward.

Key Developments at the Inauguration

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, NDMC Chairperson Keshav Chandra, and NDMC Vice Chairman Kuljeet Singh Chahal were present at the ceremony. Shah used the platform to call on the Delhi government to bring all public libraries under a unified digital network and establish structured linkages between libraries and schools across the city.

'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,' Shah said, addressing the gathering.

What the Library Offers

The Jayaprakash Narayan Public Library houses a collection of more than 30,000 books across dedicated spaces for researchers, children, and general readers. The facility includes a modern multipurpose auditorium, a research centre, a 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,' Shah said.

Shah's Appeal to Youth and Librarians

Appealing to the younger generation, Shah urged students and youth to become library members, drawing on his 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. He recalled establishing libraries in every village of his own parliamentary constituency and asked librarians to actively engage universities and educational institutions across at least ten Assembly constituencies to encourage regular library visits.

Tribute to Jayaprakash Narayan

Shah paid tribute to Jayaprakash Narayan, after whom the library is named, describing him as one of India's most influential freedom fighters and social reformers. He noted that Narayan escaped from prison during the Quit India Movement to continue the freedom struggle, later founded the Congress Socialist Party, promoted the Sarvodaya movement, established several ashrams, and played a key role in persuading extremists to return to the mainstream.

Shah also highlighted the importance of engaging with Indian literary works, remarking that without reading celebrated poets such as Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar', it is difficult to fully appreciate India's civilisational ethos.

Chief Minister's Remarks

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta called the inauguration 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,' she said. The library is expected to serve as a model for future public knowledge infrastructure in the capital, with the Delhi government now tasked with preparing a comprehensive digital connectivity plan for all city libraries.