How a fair price shop in Tamil Nadu became a gateway to education

Velu Chinnasamy took over the fair price shop at Kolapakkam in Chengalpet with the determination to have people leave the store with something "more than just their ration".

"The first thing we did was get rid of all the liquor bottles strewn about. Then, we put up a roof," he says. He went on to add chairs, fans, drinking water and most importantly a little community library—Thiruvalluval Noolagam—accompanied by a reading corner.

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Chinnasamy said that the residents were excited about the initiative and chipped in. Kumaresan sponsored books and volunteered his skills as a painter to brighten the walls.

"I could not study because I had to earn a living. If these books help even a few students succeed, that is enough for me," says Kumaresan.

Chinnasamy's co-workers contributed the materials for the library. A social worker in the area sponsored chairs and fans.

Vinitha Srinivasan, panchayat president, supported the flooring, cement seating and the installation of a grill gate.

"Residents began pouring in with books, new or used. Now, every book is catalogued," says Chinnasamy.

School textbooks, Tamil and English literature, exam preparation material and self-development titles comprise the collection.

"We wanted to make expensive study material affordable to students," says Chinnasamy.

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School children visit after classes, senior citizens browse books and women have become the most active readers nowadays. Chinnasamy highlights, "The response has been so good that we are adding tables, chairs and lighting for the night."