Farmers find respite from protests in makeshift library

Balbir Singh, who is originally from Punjab, came forward to help the farmers utilise their free time in a productive manner. This also shows how print, as a medium, is being preferred over other non-print media in this day and age of digitisation.

Speaking about his motive behind setting up the library, Singh said, "Farmers should read good literature in their spare time so that they get motivation and devote themselves to fight for their struggles."

The books – not eBooks – available in the library include biographies of famous scholars. "The stories of their prosperity will inspire the farmers," Singh added. The library was opened on 19 January 2021, the 55th day of the peaceful protest.

Singh has also organised language classes, which has been made available free of charge, to teach Punjabi. He said the books can be borrowed and returned within four days.

Farmers have been peacefully protesting on the different borders of the national capital since November 26 last year against the three newly enacted farm laws - Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. However, the Centre has not taken any constructive measures so far.