Rohtak village turns wedding hall into library to chase 1st IAS dream
ROHTAK: Jindran in Haryana’s Rohtak district has been home to many achievers. The village of Kargil War martyr Naik Balwan Singh saw IPS officer Sagar Preet Hooda, now Chandigarh DGP, studying in its govt school. Additional district and sessions judge Surinder Kumar, posted in UP’s Moradabad, and PGIMS Rohtak eye specialist Dr Ramesh Hooda once played in its streets. Yet, one ultimate ambition still eludes the village: producing its first IAS officer. That mission has been quietly underway for the last eight years inside what was once a bustling “baraat ghar”, alive with wedding celebrations, folk music, and community gatherings.
Refusing to wait for govt aid, nearly 25 working professionals with Utthan Yuva Vikas Samiti, a local club, with community contributions, converted the old hall into a modern, air-conditioned library. It is now equipped with Wi-Fi, computers, CCTV surveillance, and thousands of books, all available free of cost. A local teacher, Sunita Rani, was chosen from three candidates to run the academic side. Every evening, she provides free coaching, helps students with homework, and mentors competitive examination aspirants, sparing many families the cost of private tuition.
Running the facility costs nearly Rs 50,000 every month, covering staff salaries, electricity, internet, and maintenance. These expenses are voluntarily borne by members of the youth club, while the village panchayat extends full support. “The village owns this library, and every student is welcome here, irrespective of caste or gender,” says Surender Hooda, who serves as the block education officer in the district.
Chandigarh DGP Sagar Preet Hooda, who studied in the village govt school until Class VIII, believes giving back to the next generation is a responsibility. “There is no dearth of talent in rural areas. They just need a conducive environment, the right platform, and career guidance at the right time. People like me are simply trying to provide that for our children,” he says.
Refusing to wait for govt aid, nearly 25 working professionals with Utthan Yuva Vikas Samiti, a local club, with community contributions, converted the old hall into a modern, air-conditioned library. It is now equipped with Wi-Fi, computers, CCTV surveillance, and thousands of books, all available free of cost. A local teacher, Sunita Rani, was chosen from three candidates to run the academic side. Every evening, she provides free coaching, helps students with homework, and mentors competitive examination aspirants, sparing many families the cost of private tuition.
Running the facility costs nearly Rs 50,000 every month, covering staff salaries, electricity, internet, and maintenance. These expenses are voluntarily borne by members of the youth club, while the village panchayat extends full support. “The village owns this library, and every student is welcome here, irrespective of caste or gender,” says Surender Hooda, who serves as the block education officer in the district.
Chandigarh DGP Sagar Preet Hooda, who studied in the village govt school until Class VIII, believes giving back to the next generation is a responsibility. “There is no dearth of talent in rural areas. They just need a conducive environment, the right platform, and career guidance at the right time. People like me are simply trying to provide that for our children,” he says.
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