Indian expatriate group in Oman plans to set up library for all

Muscat: In an effort to bring the wonders of reading to residents in Oman the Malayalam Wing of the Indian Social Club has decided to set up a new library.
With members of the club already stepping forward to donate books by the hundreds, there seems to be no shortage of reading material, which can be accessed by all residents in the Sultanate. Non-members of the ISC are also welcome to donate books which can be spared.
“These days, people spend a lot time in front of the TV, and this is not very good for them,” explained Unnikrishnan Nair, co-convener of the ISC’s Malayalam Wing.
“People get true knowledge through reading, and there is nothing like books when it comes to learning.
“A lot of people in Oman have surplus books that they cannot take with them, especially when it comes to expats going back home, so they give these books to us free of cost,” he added.
“We had planned to lend these books to people for free, but we were concerned about people not valuing this if we gave it to them without charge, so we have decided to issue a nominal cost for those who come to borrow books.”
“If you read good books and good articles, it really helps to purify the mind and expand your knowledge,” he explained.
“When you read about the experiences of people who have accomplished a lot in their lives or gone through a lot of challenges, then you are inspired by these things and you feel motivated by them.”
With books being very expensive in Oman, which in turn contributes to the lack of a reading culture, Nair is hoping the new library, which will be set up at the Indian Social Club’s Malayalam Wing headquarters behind the Sheraton Hotel, will encourage families to spend more quality time together.
“When you go to a shop and buy a book, it costs a lot of money, but once you have read it a few times and feel like you want to give it to someone else, you realise that it has cost so much money, and hope that someone else can also benefit from it the way you have,” he said.
“Books don’t have an expiry date, so the knowledge that can be gained from them can be accessed by everyone.”
“We have already received hundreds of books from our members, and will take any books that people are willing to donate,” added Nair. “We have a very good cross section of books, such as study guides, course books, novels and self-help books and anyone is welcome to read them.”