Ex-IFS officer finds joy offering free library and coaching to students in Puri

Life after retirement is often considered to be a life of resignation. Most bureaucrats look for government largesse after retirement. But former Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer Malaya Mishra provides an exception to it. He has discovered a new calling in social service by establishing a free public library in his hometown, Puri.

Housing over 5,000 books with free access to local children and youths, the library, named ‘Sarojini Devi Memorial Library,’ has emerged as a major learning hub for students.

The library, set up in 2021, has more than 600 students as its registered members, many of whom use this facility on a regular basis. Being a passionate reader, Mishra has stocked the library with books he collected from various countries during his service tenure.

Mishra returned to his hometown after retirement in 2015 and decided to convert his residence into a seat of learning. Appreciating what is lacking in the educational system, he opened the library and started teaching students. Its significance can be gauged from the fact that Puri currently has only one government library, which operates from a small rented building.

Apart from offering free access to the library, Mishra even conducts classes on political science, economics, law, current affairs, foreign policy, and spoken English. He also shares insights from his diplomatic career to help students develop intellectual and analytical skills.

This library is not merely a place of learning, but it has also become a centre for social and cultural activities, where various social programmes and religious events are organised, fostering community engagement.

Apart from studying, students also receive valuable academic guidance from Mishra and many eminent personalities who also visit the place during various programs.

Mishra blurts out with a sense of pride, saying he wanted to give something back to society, and what gives him satisfaction is the fact that many students of his library have secured government jobs.  

Deepti Ranjan Sahoo, who serves as a librarian there, points out how crucial a role this library plays for aspiring students, saying its cleanliness, calm atmosphere, disciplined environment, and the guidance provided by Mishra make it unique.