Shahneawz Khan Sumon
Tutul is a household name in the village of Kaluihuda under Moheshpur upazila in Jhenidah district. Tutul established a library names as “Matrri Vasha Public Library” in the village for spreading education and inspiring local people with knowledge 12 years ago.
Poor Tutul’s are 6 brothers and one sister. His father died 11 years ago. His family does not enough ability to give extra support to make the library well-furnished but his illiterate mother has always inspired Tutul to establish the library. At a time, she was the only woman to give encouragement to create the library.A degree pass-out KM Tutul started the library just with 50 books from the beginning beside his own room at their residence. At the beginning, the library did not have have its own room, book-shelf, chairs, tables, papers, journals and books. But after 11 years only for his huge sacrifice, day after day, the library has taken a good shape. Now the book library has its own room, a few chairs, two tables, three daily newspapers – two Bangla and one English – and quite some books.
Tutul said that he never forgets some names such as Rabeya Hamid Foundation, professor Nahid Kaiyum, Arif Moynuddin, professor Khadeza Khatun, professor late Shorif Hossen, Amirul Alam Khan, Selina Zaman, Minnat Ali, Uttraradhikar of Dhaka plus 125 other individuals and organisations. He utilised various types of books and money they have donated to develop the library. This library opens at 2:30 PM and remains open to readers till 7 PM.
Tutul said there are only a few categories of books in his library such as fight for freedom, children’s books, religious titles, novel, various type of drama books, collections of poems, science fictions, horror books, various descriptive books, Bangla and English dictionaries, history, science and social studies books.
Kaluhuda high school student Shafin Ahammed said the book readers not only come from Kaluhuda village but also from Shahapur, Jagusha, joka, Habashpur, Mirzapur, Voberpara, Bathangachi and Dhopatola villages. Some students are among the visitors. They goe there for reading daily newspaper regularly.
Tuhin Humayun a student of Dhaka said that when he comes to his native village, he must come to read books regularly. He said if there is an Internet connection, they will get more up-to-date information regularly.
Lovely Khatun a student of Mohehspur government college said to the correspondent ‘I am a poor student. I could not buy all class books, so I can read books, taking help from the library. Here I get textbooks along with other books
Tutul said if someone helped to establish Internet connectivity and bear its costs then the people including farmers of the area shall get agriculture news update regularly and the readers the Internet using facilities.
Tutul said though I am a poor man, I want to see the library become self-reliant with its books and other facilities. We need support from some big hearted persons to lend helping hands and help the library stand on its foundation.– A Correspondent
