Delhi is transforming unused community centers into secure and affordable study spaces. The new Aarambh libraries are providing a crucial alternative for civil service aspirants. This initiative comes after a tragic incident last year. Three students died in a flooded basement library in Rajinder Nagar. This event highlighted the dangers of overcrowded, unsafe private study halls in the city.
The Delhi government responded by launching the Aarambh library project. These libraries now offer safe and affordable study spaces. Three libraries are currently operational: two in Old Rajinder Nagar and Adchini, and one in Dwarka. Lieutenant-Governor VK Saxena recently inaugurated the Dwarka library, fulfilling a promise to provide better infrastructure for students.
Aarambh libraries follow a straightforward model.
- The monthly fee starts at just Rs 1,000.
- Each library accommodates 60 students per shift.
- The libraries run for 24 hours, in three eight-hour shifts.
- Each library serves a total of 180 students daily.
The facilities are modern and well-equipped. They feature bright lighting, CCTV surveillance, and separate washrooms. Study tables have individual power points.
More than just infrastructure, these libraries create a strong sense of community. Students share notes, discuss current affairs, and practice for interviews together. This peer support is as valuable as the physical space itself.
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The government is not stopping here. They plan to expand the initiative to other major UPSC preparation hubs, including Mukherjee Nagar and Karol Bagh. This expansion will provide more safe and well-managed spaces for aspirants, moving beyond a tragedy to a more secure future for students.
