Tikri—For the first few days when they came here to participate in the dharna, a group of young men were tormented by farmers unable to do anything “constructive” with their time. Once they were back from attending the daily address by their leaders, they had nothing much to do. It was either prepping for dinner or worrying sick about what the future holds for them in view of the contentious farm laws. A brainstorming session with some friends overseas and few volunteers based in Punjab ensued and now protesting farmers have a thriving library at their disposal, complete with books in Punjabi, Hindi and English.

In less than a fortnight of being set up, Nanak Hut Library at pole number 140, Pakoda Chowk has become the most preferred stop over for farmers cutting across age and gender. Set up inside a makeshift tent with Kisan Ekta and Ghadar flags flying high on its roof, the library can be easily spotted as it always has a small crowd browsing through or getting books issued. In case one still cannot locate it, its popularity ensures that you are escorted to the place by smiling farmers. Posters with revolutionary couplets and saying adorn the outside of Nanak Hut while two boys diligently act as librarians. Apart from issuing books, they suggest titles worth a read and if time permits, sometimes discuss the current situation and their review of books they have read.

“We used to see our elders and even friends spending their free time thinking the worst. That is when we thought that it’s better if they put their time to good use and what better way than reading. Books are the biggest strength of any inquilaab,” says 20-year-old Gurpreet Singh Kaler from Ghanaur Kurd village in Punjab. So the youngsters got down to business, building Nanak Hut from a scratch. They started with cleaning the area of wild growth followed by erecting a tent, getting book racks and arranging books. They were assisted by some volunteers who helped them make posters and get books too.

Nanak Hut has a vast collection of literature with authors ranging from Bhagat Singh, Arundhati Roy to Rana Ayyub, Sir Chhotu Ram, and they are gradually adding more books from writers like Dr Surjit Singh Patar, Amrita Pritam, Sohan Singh Sital, Ernest Hemmingway, Karl Marx to their collection. They have also placed a proper issuing system in place which is managed by 22-year-old Gurjeet Singh. He maintains a proper stock of the books received in sewa as well as records of those getting the books issued. “We note down their phone number and name of the village. If someone is unable to come back and return the book because his trolley is parked far off, we still encourage them to take books and then circulate it amongst their neighbours,” says Gurjeet.

The youngsters plan to make Nanak Hut a space to not just read but to converge and converse on ideas also. They had recently organised an art workshop in which both young and old took part. They will soon start weekly talks with prominent people from various walks of life. “The more we read, the more we interact with others, it would broaden our horizons. The aim is not to just win this struggle. All of us should go back enriched in mind and thoughts,” states Gurpreet.