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Here is an association, which lends textbooks to needy college students. And unlike in libraries you can keep the books till the end of the course.

If the choice is a professional course, the entire savings of the family may have to be invested for the purpose. Followed by prayers to the almighty that the investment pays rich dividend in the form of an attractive (American) job in the years to come.

Fortunately scholarships are available to a few students to meet the tuition fees, thanks to certain philanthropic institutions. But there are no agencies to equip the poor students with standard college textbooks, which are prohibitive in cost buy very essential in need.

The problem with libraries

"Why, they can make use of libraries." One may be tempted to say. But libraries do not meet the long-term requirements of the students. The books cannot be retained by the students till their examination.

Keep your books

Here RYA plays a noble role. RYA is the acronym of Rajasthan Youth Association, which launched its Book Project 31 years ago at Chennai.

Under the project, textbooks are loaned out to college students who can retain them throughout the course of studies. The books are to be returned after successful completion of the course. The students thus develop a sense of belonging towards the books.

A noble aim

"The main objective behind this project is to mix with the local population on a positive cause. Spreading education among all communities irrespective of caste or creed has been the driving force behind this," says Mr. Govind Mundra, President of the Association.

Mr.Narasinghlal Daga, a founder member of the Association recalls that the services of the Book Bank stared with a modest beginning of distributing books to 25 needy students. This year the number has swelled to 40,390.

All labour connected with the Book distribution like selection, binding and packing are done wholly by the members themselves.

The formalities

"Every year the book distribution is done in the first week of August. Not that a few needy students who approach us during the later part of the year are denied of the requirements. Books are purchased from the funds collected from our members. If we forecast more demand for books in a year, we allocate additional budget" says Mr. Ashok Deora, Secretary of the Association.

The economic background of the student is the only criterion for availing the help. Of course, a bonafide certificate from the Principal of the college to which the student belongs should also be produced. It indeed makes one happy to learn that most of the books are returned in tact.

Returning the help

In fact a few of such recipients, after getting a decent employment, had offered to bear a portion of the cost of books to be purchased in the ensuing years.

Earlier B.Com, students were the ones who mainly availed this facility. Now students studying professional courses like B.E. or M.B.B.S. are in the forefront in utilizing this service. Students spread over various colleges in and around Chennai are benefited under this scheme.

And prizes too

RYA has utilised information technology to streamline the working of the project. The work to computerise the project has begun. The Association also awards prizes to the meritorious students of B.A., B.Com, B.Sc and B.E. who are benefited by this scheme.

The say bookkeeping is an integral part of banking. To this bank, it is book lending too.

Rajasthan Youth Association, Ground Floor, J Block, Atkinson Palace,4, Atkinson Road, Vepery, Chennai - 600 007. Phone : 538 6369, 538 6978.

G.S. Subramanian