Lucknow: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday highlighted the expansion of digital libraries in Uttar Pradesh, saying the initiative is reducing the need for rural students to travel to cities for study material and internet access while strengthening preparation for competitive examinations.In a post on social media platform X, Yogi referred to a digital library set up at Gram Panchayat Secretariat in Khasha Mohammadpur village of Tejwapur block in Bahraich district.He said that before 2017, students from villages often had to go to cities to access books and better resources, a process that consumed time and money. The new facility, he said, has “shortened that distance” by combining traditional reading material with modern digital infrastructure at the local level.According to chief minister’s post, the Khasha Mohammadpur digital library provides computers, a printer, high-speed internet connectivity, Wi-Fi, a smart TV and CCTV coverage. Along with books used for competitive exam preparation, the library also has literature published by National Book Trust, he said.Yogi added that students and young people are using the space for self-study, e-learning and exam preparation, while savings from reduced travel are being redirected toward learning.Chief minister cited statewide figures to underscore the scale of the programme. He said that prior to 2017, e-library access was available at around 76 locations, and that it has now been extended to 57,600 gram panchayats.He also said govt has distributed smartphones and tablets to around 60 lakh youth to improve access to information. In addition, smart classrooms have been introduced in 32,000 schools and ICT labs have been set up in more than 15,000 schools, he said.Yogi also drew a comparison with earlier years, alleging that between 2012 and 2016, 6.22 lakh children did not receive textbooks and 97 lakh children did not receive uniforms despite available govt funds. He said the situation has improved and that gram panchayat secretariats are increasingly functioning as hubs of knowledge and technology alongside administrative work.
