Librarian at just 9, Muskaan of Bhopal is NITI Aayog ‘thought leader’

Special Correspondent

NewsBits.in

Bhopal: Nine-year-old Muskaan Ahirwar, who runs a library for children of her locality (Durgapur settlement) in Bhopal would be honoured by NITI Aayog as one of the 12 ‘Thought Leaders’ of country on September 9.

Muskaan would naturally be the youngest recipient of this award. She would be getting the honour at hands of Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik at Teen Murti auditorium in New Delhi.

The little girl is ecstatic about the event, mainly because it would allow her to visit New Delhi, a city she has wanted to visit since long.

Muskaan, though coming from an economically compromised family started her effort to provide access to inspiring books to children of her locality with 119 books. These were gathered with support of Rajya Shiksha Kendra of the MP School education department.

After her story went viral, almost across globe, the collection of her books has shot up 400, but she has had to change the spot for her open library. The verandah of her modest home that served as her open library (using just ropes to hang display the books and place for visiting kids to sit) has now been converted into a toilet area.

So Muskaan and her books have been shifted to an open spot on periphery of her locality. This spot does not have book display facility. It is difficult for her to function properly, especially during rain.

But the little inspirer carries on with her good work, opening the ‘library’ every day. After all, 12 more children have been inspired to set up similar ventures with help of Rajya Shiksha Kendra.

Muskaan’s achievement is being lauded well and wide. “We would like to congratulate Rajya Shiksha Kendra for Muskaan’s remarkable achievement.  It is encouraging to note that following her example more such libraries run by volunteers are coming up in the city to enable children access more knowledge and realize their dreams,” Michael Juma, Chief, UNICEF field office for Madhya Pradesh has said.

(Images courtesy: www.buzzfeed.com)