Education is incredibly important for the progress and development of society. It helps people gain knowledge, skills, and the ability to think critically, which are essential in navigating the complexities of the modern world. Education empowers individuals to discover their potential, broaden their perspectives, and contribute to making society better. By nurturing informed and responsible citizens, education plays a significant role in shaping society.

An educated society enjoys many advantages. First and foremost, education promotes social harmony by fostering understanding, empathy, and respect among diverse groups of people. It establishes the groundwork for a more inclusive and fair society, where people value and accept differences. Furthermore, education contributes to economic growth by providing individuals with the necessary skills and expertise for the job market. It enables them to find good jobs, break the cycle of poverty, and contribute to the overall prosperity of the nation. 

Inspired by the transformative power of education,many individuals dedicate themselves to NGOs and similar initiatives. These organizations are driven by a strong desire to address social challenges such as poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, and access to quality education. Educated individuals understand the profound impact education can have on people's lives and communities. They are motivated to share their knowledge and skills to uplift those who are in need.

The concept of Self-help libraries can be regarded as a valuable initiative, contributing to the empowerment and education of individuals.These libraries, along with NGOs and similar initiatives, play a crucial role in promoting education and empowering individuals. By providing resources, materials, and support for self-directed learning,self-help libraries enable individuals to acquire knowledge, develop skills, and explore their potential.Through education, individuals can improve their lives, contribute to society, and effectively address societal challenges.

In the aforementioned context, let's talk about Ngurang Meena, a dedicated teacher and social worker from Arunachal Pradesh. Meena is passionate about empowering and educating tribal people, aiming to equip them with the ability to read and write, enabling them to lead dignified lives. Ngurang Meena's father, the late Ngurang Pinch, is her main source of inspiration. Previously, Meena and her team used to travel to different parts of the state to educate school children. However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, these activities had to be put on hold. It was during that time that Meena came up with the idea of a free ‘self-help library’.

Meena along with her friend Diwang Hosai, started this unique initiative. The library is first of its kind in the area, consisting of a simple rack filled with books and a couple of wooden benches for readers to sit on and read. Since the area experiences frequent rain, Meena took precautions by adding plastic sheets to protect the books. The town where Meena resides, Nirujli, is 19 kilometers away from Itanagar. Many people find it inconvenient to travel such distances to access books, and the self-help library aims to bridge this gap by providing books for the readers' convenience.

This self-help library is open to anyone who wishes to read, and it offers a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction books. Local children also lent their helping hands in the library's construction, highlighting the collective effort behind this valuable resource.

The reason that makes this initiative incredibly crucial in Arunachal Pradesh stems from the fact that there are more liquor stores than libraries in the state, which has a major influence over the young population. To make matters worse, substance abuse is a huge concern across the state, due to which, the state Govt, as well as individual groups and activists have been constantly working towards remedying the situation. When we look at the outer picture, Ngurang Meena's humble efforts in opening up the self help library makes a whole lot of sense. 

Despite the prevalence of e-reading, smartphones, and other technological advancements, Meena believes in cultivating a reading habit to enrich young minds and educate them for a brighter future. Many people have generously donated books to support this positive initiative. Ngurang Meena aspires to see such libraries open in every ward of Arunachal Pradesh, and she has already established other libraries in different districts. 

Her achievements

Her endeavor has been appreciated from all quarters of life. She was appreciated by CM Pema Khandu as well as PM Modi in his Mann ki Baat programme for her exemplary work.

On 9 March 2023, Ngurang Meena was among the nine women of the state who were conferred the Women's Achiever award at Itanagar in the field of Education and training category.

Meena is among those dedicated individuals, who are determined to create a positive impact through their work. Her approach to engage young minds in the habit of reading is both endearing and life-changing. It's inspiring to see the youths of Arunachal Pradesh, especially the astrayed or underprivileged ones, getting nurtured and motivated towards building a meaningful career for themselves in the future, through such noble initiatives.