International library in district soon

Kochi: In a first of its kind initiative by a local body of the state, the Ernakulam district panchayat is setting up an "international library," which could be elevated into a political study and research centre in due course.

The project aims to inculcate the reading habit among elected representatives of all the 98 local bodies in the district.

“It will serve as a guidance centre for people’s representatives while also giving youngsters a real perspective of local self governance,’’ explained Bindu George, vice- president of the district panchayat, revealing that the library spread over 3,000 sq.ft will have over 50,000 titles and modern facilities such as the Internet and system-guided browsing of books.

All existing and previous local body members will be entitled to free membership of the facility scheduled to open in June next year. Its expected to cost one crore to establish.

Not stopping with this, the district panchayat is exploring the possibility of roping in expert agencies to eventually upgrade the library into a political study and research centre.

“The possibility of approaching foreign universities for assistance will be looked into,” say panchayat sources, adding that the idea of the centre took shape during district panchayat president, Eldhose Kunnappillil's visit, to the United States recently.