Muskaan

In a society where educating a girl child is still frowned upon, Muskaan Ahirwar is a beacon of light. 

Already dubbed as the 'youngest librarian' of India, Muskaan is also an educator in equal measure. A Class 3 student from Bhopal, Muskaan has confidently shouldered the responsibility of educating other children in her 'Bal Pustakalaya'.

Located in a slum neighbourhood at the back of Rajya Siksha Kendra, in Arera Hills, her library sources its books from Rajya Siksha Kendra, MP. And every day after school, the little master sets out a mat outside her home, opens her library and reads interesting stories to other children, who are ever ready to learn. 

The initiative kick-started in December when a team from the State Education Board visited Muskaan's slum, that's situated right behind the branch of their office, on New Years. At the time, they gave 25 books to the children to read and share with each other. They conducted a Q&A round as well to gauge more information on the status of the kids' education. 

It was Muskaan who won the quiz and readily accepted the challenge of educating her friends. More books were provided to them on Republic Day.

Currently officials have provided 119 books to the library, which is my responsibility and I love doing this. Other children in slum area take books and then return other day. Some stay back to read here with me and ask questions where they don't understand," said Muskaan.

The meticulous girl also maintains a register for her class in which she is sometimes helped by her elder sister, Neha Ahirwar who studies in Class 7. 

The children are now looking forward to reading more books as they have already finished reading existing ones. And Muskaan is an idol par excellence for them. 

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