LADY TEACHERS OF TURA COLLEGE – converted a discarded bus into a functional library

A discarded rickety bus parked in the campus once used to ferry students and teachers of Tura Government College remained an eyesore for all. But a group of lady lecturers had a different idea altogether. Why not turn the unused bus to a library for the poor students ?

But there was no money available since the college authorities had no such scheme.

So they collected the funds from their salary and converted the discarded bus to a functioning mini library for the poor students. There was off course a problem when their salary too stopped for two months but they still carried on. Some good samaritans contributed books and cash to aid the work further.

Their sole intent – to help their financially underprivileged students, who were struggling with basic amenities like books, stationery, clothes and even affordable meals.

These students, originally from far flung villages, come to live with distant relatives in Tura, a town which has a decent education system to offer. It was during one of their brainstorming sessions, that the teachers from the English Department decided to use the discarded college bus and restore it into something useful for the college kids. Hence began the project where teachers with the help of students collaborated to conceptualise and design a library. The said library project evolved into becoming a multi-utility unit which would allow people to donate used or new items such as books, stationery, clothes, etc.

They added a ‘drop’ area in the bus for whoever wished to drop items meant for the students who might want to pick whatever they felt necessary. People could donate used/ new books, pens, notebooks, bags, umbrellas, clothes, shoes and other utility items.

The students of the college were clearly excited by this idea and were eager to be a part of the project. Because they could not contribute through funds, the students rendered their services to give the bus a new look. The concept of take-and-go books, stationery, clothes and pretty much anything one may need is an unheard of concept in the town and is being seen as a means to facilitate an exercise of trust, honesty, and an independent ability to gauge the ideology of need vs want. The teachers believe that this project will not only meet the basic requirements of innumerable students in need, but also instill a sense of moral and social responsibility among the students and staff of the college alike.

The discarded bus has ended its years of journey. But for the teachers and their students the journey has started with the once discarded metal remains.

Source: Himalayan News Chronicle