Mizoram: "Little Free Libraries" Set up across Aizawl to Foster Reading Habit

Aizawl, February 25, 2020:

Mizoram has literally made it to the good books with its “readership drive” in its capital city, Aizawl. Mini roadside libraries, called “Little Free Library” have been set up in parts of the city in order to boost readership among the people.

The concept of roadside library in Aizawl came in 2019 when Lalhruaitluanga Chawngte created little bookshelves by the roadside and made it available to everyone. His aim was to encourage reading habits in the Mizo society. “We started with two little roadside libraries in Aizawl at New Market and Mission Vengthlang. Later, we opened two more at Pachhunga University College and MZU Park. We also plan to open the fifth one in front of Civil Hospital, Aizawl,” Chawngte was quoted as saying regarding the cute free little libraries.

ALSO READ: Breaking | Angry Mob Attacks 2 NDTV Journalists During CAA Clash in Delhi

Netizens have lauded the effort to boost reading habits in the passersby of the Aizawl streets. A Twitter user named Parveen Kaswan, IFS shared a few pictures of “The Little Library” and wrote, “Now this is what every city must copy. #Mizoram's capital #Aizawl has a couple of these tiny roadside libraries. Libraries are the best investment for nation building. North East showing the way. Via @asomputra

Another user, Moira Dawa wrote, “Love this concept of the “Little Free Library” in #Aizawl #Mizoram Education & imagination #ForEveryChild.”

Another resident of Karnataka shared, “At Mizoram, I found this beautiful, useful and interesting concept - Road side Free library, how about in namma Karnataka :) @nimmasuresh.”

Mizoram, also the state with one of the highest literacy rates in the country (91.33), has welcomed the initiative of Lalhruaitluanga Chawngte to further help develop the reading habit among its residents.

The Little Library, which provides free access to books, allows readers to borrow the books after writing down their name and contact. This is later used to evaluate how many persons have borrowed books and have returned them.

Support Inside Northeast (InsideNE), an independent media platform that focuses on Citizen-centric stories from Northeast India that are surprising, inspiring, cinematic and emotionally relevant.