Rural Bengal gets new cultural hub: Lokkatha Library & Clinic opens in Puin village
A new cultural and educational centre, Lokkatha Library and Clinic, opened its doors on Jan 4 in Puin village, Hooghly district. However, the idea of Lokkatha dates back much earlier. Conceived in 2007 and materially initiated in 2019, it is a long-cherished dream shaped by years of thought, labour and commitment.
Founded by psychotherapist and psycho counsellor, Shantanu Ghosh, and Bethune college professor, Anindita Datta, this ₹40 lakh initiative aims to provide free library services and affordable educational programs to rural residents. The project, funded entirely through the founders' decade-long savings, has received strong support from the local community.
"Puin is deeply personal. My father once taught at Golta village and this library stands on a half-built structure that has now been transformed into a vibrant cultural and educational space,” said Datta.
It has already attracted over 100 members and sees 30-40 daily visitors, including students. The facility operates daily from 3 pm to 5 pm under the supervision of Bapan Malik.
"The people of Puin village have accepted Lokkatha with open arms. It is not just students who come here every day. Even common villagers, farmers and workers drop in out of curiosity and interest," said Malik.
The centre offers an extensive collection of books covering literature, philosophy, religion, and science. It focuses on helping villagers develop knowledge through their own cultural perspective rather than urban viewpoints.
Beyond books, Lokkatha provides affordable language courses in English and Hindi for ₹20, and Spanish for ₹50. Notable educators and translators, including Tarun Kumar Ghatak, Soumyakanti Roy, Sanghita Reza and Pinki Singh, lead these programs. Theatre training is available at ₹20 monthly under theatre personality Subhasis Gangopadhyay's guidance. The facility also partners with Arambagh Cine Club for monthly film screenings.
Ghosh said, "People already have knowledge within them, even if they don't always realise it. Education is not about pouring information into someone's mind. It is about creating spaces where people meet, talk, share experiences and learn from one another."
Founded by psychotherapist and psycho counsellor, Shantanu Ghosh, and Bethune college professor, Anindita Datta, this ₹40 lakh initiative aims to provide free library services and affordable educational programs to rural residents. The project, funded entirely through the founders' decade-long savings, has received strong support from the local community.
"Puin is deeply personal. My father once taught at Golta village and this library stands on a half-built structure that has now been transformed into a vibrant cultural and educational space,” said Datta.
It has already attracted over 100 members and sees 30-40 daily visitors, including students. The facility operates daily from 3 pm to 5 pm under the supervision of Bapan Malik.
"The people of Puin village have accepted Lokkatha with open arms. It is not just students who come here every day. Even common villagers, farmers and workers drop in out of curiosity and interest," said Malik.
The centre offers an extensive collection of books covering literature, philosophy, religion, and science. It focuses on helping villagers develop knowledge through their own cultural perspective rather than urban viewpoints.
Beyond books, Lokkatha provides affordable language courses in English and Hindi for ₹20, and Spanish for ₹50. Notable educators and translators, including Tarun Kumar Ghatak, Soumyakanti Roy, Sanghita Reza and Pinki Singh, lead these programs. Theatre training is available at ₹20 monthly under theatre personality Subhasis Gangopadhyay's guidance. The facility also partners with Arambagh Cine Club for monthly film screenings.
Ghosh said, "People already have knowledge within them, even if they don't always realise it. Education is not about pouring information into someone's mind. It is about creating spaces where people meet, talk, share experiences and learn from one another."
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