Mallava Bhimappa Meti started a library with the Gruha Lakshmi aid, to help youngsters of Mantur village in Belagavi's Raybag equip themselves to take competitive exams.
Published Oct 17, 2024 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 17, 2024 | 8:00 AM
Mallava Bhimappa Meti builds a library using funds from the Gruha Lakshmi Yojana. (Suplied)
As a young girl, Mallava Bhimappa Meti dreamt of pursuing education and bagging a job, which would have made her proud. However, circumstances did not allow her dream to materialise.
The unsatiated desire to learn to read and study further remained with her. She grew up, headed a panchayat, and has a family. After the Congress came to power, she started getting ₹2,000 a month as part of the Gruha Lakshmi Yojana, which provides financial assistance to women heads of families.
Instead of utilising the amount for her benefits, she decided to give it back to society. It was also part of her thirst for knowledge. The world of letters kept inviting her.
Mallava is unfazed that she cannot realise her dream. Instead, the woman, now a former gram panchayat president and member, started a library with the Gruha Lakshmi aid, to help youngsters of Mantur village in Belagavi’s Raybag equip themselves to take competitive exams.
The library was officially inaugurated on 13 October, offering a beacon of hope for students. It was also satisfying for Mallava to see youngsters making inroads into the world of letters and knowledge.
ನನ್ನಗೆ ಬಂದ ಗೃಹಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ಹಣದಿಂದ ಗ್ರಾಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ಪರ್ಧಾತ್ಮಕ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆ ಬರೆಯುವ ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಗ್ರಂಥಾಲಯ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿದ್ದು ಇದರ ಸದುಪಯೋಗ ಪಡಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಸ್ಪರ್ಧಾರ್ಥಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಮನವಿ@laxmi_hebbalkar@readingkafka @siddaramaiah @CMofKarnataka pic.twitter.com/OaOpSH1kU5
— Mallavva Bhimappa Meti (@meti_sadas8671) October 12, 2024
Mallava invested ₹1.5 lakhs, including ₹26,000 from the Gruha Lakshmi Yojana. The funds helped Mallava buy books, chairs, tables, and other supplies for the library, which she built on her property.
“I saw the children of our village travel long distances to Bengaluru, Dharwad, and Bijapur for their studies,” Mallava said. “They faced financial struggles, and it wasn’t just about money. Food and health issues added to their challenges. I thought, why not create such a facility here in our village to help them? That was the inspiration.”
The library, a modest structure, is filled with resources tailored for students preparing for Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) exams, Karnataka Postal Circle exams, Karnataka State Police exams, and others.
Mallava’s efforts didn’t stop at just setting up the space. She travelled with her son, Nagappa Bhimappa Meti, to Bengaluru to purchase the necessary books. They plan to continue adding to the library’s collection.
The library was officially inaugurated on 13th October 2024. (Supplied)
With her five-year stint as the gram panchayat head also contributing to the funds, she combined her savings, Gram Panchayat honorarium, and the assistance of local children to create a space where students can study without leaving the village.
“Children often have to leave the village for better educational opportunities,” Mallava explained. “But even in big cities, they face trouble finding the right accommodation and food. This library is a small step to help them get a better education and a better life.”
Despite numerous requests, Mantur village still lacks a government library, a problem Mallava sought to address herself.
“We don’t have a government library here, even though we’ve asked for one multiple times. After constant rejection, I decided to build it myself,” she said.
Mallava Bhimappa Meti with her family at the inauguration. (Supplied)
The library’s creation has sparked hope for more local infrastructure, especially as Mallava advocates for a school in the village to prevent children, particularly girls, from dropping out due to the long 10-kilometre commute to the nearest institution.
Sangeeta, Mallava’s niece, expressed immense pride in her aunt’s work.
“The entire family is extremely proud of her. She saved her money to help others, and her kindness inspired others to follow her lead. Even the workers who helped set up the library, like the electrician and carpenter, refused to charge for their services.”
Mallava’s vision for her village doesn’t stop at the library. She has already started saving for future improvements, hoping to expand the collection and further support students.
Her dream is not only to provide educational resources but also to create opportunities for the youth in Mantur to achieve their ambitions without the burdens that come with leaving home.
The government’s rebranding of rural libraries as ‘Arivu’ (Knowledge) centres has added a modern touch to the existing rural libraries. For Mallava, her library represents something much deeper—a living, breathing temple of knowledge in the heart of her village.
Mallava’s story is a testament to the power of resolve, selflessness, and community spirit, showing how a single person’s determination can bring lasting change to an entire village.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
