The relationship of humans with books is ancient. However, in this digital age, one cannot neglect its importance. One of its unique examples is in Balochistan where Gwadar container beach library is Balochistan’s first and Pakistan’s only container library.
The containers in Pakistan are usually for road blockage or political speech purposes. However, on the shore of Gwadar, one can now find a substantial 40-foot long and 10-foot wide red container.
But this container of Gwadar is unique as it relates to people with books. That is not an ordinary container but a fully working library loaded with more than 5000 books. The library welcomes readers with a vast collection of books on various subjects such as science and technology, law, and literature in Urdu, English, and Balochi languages.
The Gwadar Beach Library on the seaside consists of furnished bookshelves, racks, and chairs. It offers a beautiful view of the seaside and the sky through its windows.
If you are more of a visual person, then please watch the following video, which summarizes my Cricket Beach Library trip:
The Idea of Gwadar Container Beach Library
It is an ambition of a group of NGO volunteers, the seaside container library. The installation of the library took place on the shores of Gwadar in 2019. The library is the earliest of its kind in the region and has drawn book lovers in relatively good numbers.
There is enough room and furniture for ten people to sit and study simultaneously. According to locals, thousands of people have registered themselves in this library which comes here regularly. People in this library work voluntarily. Everybody is allowed to read books here free of cost.
The financial aid came from two separate Non-Governmental Organizations. The first one was Rotaract Club, a community-based foundation that encouraged literacy culture in Gwadar, and the second Baamsaar Club, an education campaign.
The locals had received a book-filled container from Rotary International in the United States and turned it into a library. Rotary International donated a container full of books. The books were to be distributed in all parts of Gwadar.
But locals of Gwadar thought that why not use this container in the form of a library? So the district administration of Gwadar provided the place and furniture for this container. The Gwadar development authority did the work outside the library. At the same time, books were provided by rotary international.
The library also hosts weekly study circles where numbers of students get together and speak on various topics. The library also entertains board game contests like Scrabble and Chess for the amusement of the local students. The Rotaract Club has also announced to the promotion of mobile libraries around the city on top of camels.
Built on the banks of Gwadar, this container beach library is the first of its kind in the entire region. The city administration donated the land for the Gwadar beach library.
The management of the library also organizes a weekly study circle here. Deputy Commissioner Gwadar pays the cost of this library. There are only two types of libraries in the world. One of them is Gwadar beach library. Such efforts are playing an essential role in promoting book culture.
The students of Balochistan share an unmatched love for books and other forms of literature. Therefore, they have constantly been aiming to promote the culture of reading books to the general public.
To overcome the barrier, the students have taken it to themselves to increase libraries and gather books for their fellow students to read. As a result, their efforts have shown fruit.
In Wadh, a group of five book-loving friends opened a library all by themselves. They gathered funds and transformed a once-drug house into a completely functional library. Their efforts got the recognition of the world-famous author Paulo Coelho, who tweeted: “Send books to Balochistan. They are building reading rooms.”
Similarly, a library in Mashkay looked like a dream a few months ago. The plan turned into a reality.
The local students worked day and night and built the first Mashkay public library. Scholars in Zehri have also set up a library. They are collecting books from various cities in Balochistan and beyond to fill their shelve.
The Tehsildar of Jiwani, district Gwadar played an essential role along with the locals in constructing a library.
Similarly, the Deputy Commissioner of Washuk took a personal interest and constructed a library within three months. Washuk is the most backward district of Balochistan. Such efforts are promoting the book-reading culture in a province like Balochistan.
The district administration has donated a portion of land for the seaside container library.
The chief librarian of this library, Abdul Aziz, says that If you want to send any books here, then Gwadar beach library is next to the deputy commissioner’s office in Gwadar.
As you can see, how interesting is Gwadar? Hopefully, this blog will inspire you to visit Gwadar City. Also, if you have any questions on Balochistan or my experience traveling on a bicycle/motorbike, please comment below or email me. I’ll try to reply to you as soon as possible.
