Radhamani, The Walking Library of Wayanad

“There is no friend as loyal as a book,” said the legendary novelist Ernest Hemmingway. Indeed! Books are our best friends. We can never feel bored in the company of books. Besides, books always help you to learn new things. You would be glad to know if we personify books, they would say the same thing about Radhamani, a 63-year-old woman living in Wayanad, Kerala in India! “There is no friend of books as loyal as Radhamani.” Let’s explore the Inspirational Story of Radhamani!

I cannot understand that even in the 21st century, women are not taken that seriously! Why is it an eye-opener when they achieve something? We must appreciate her achievement not because she is a woman but because she has the ability and the talent to achieve it! I think it reveals our illiteracy to think along those lines! Anyway, the senior lady Radhamani is much above such senseless classifications! She is a strong woman whose name can be synonymous with an ignited passion for books!

Inspirational Story of Radhamani

Unlike the ones we witness in movies and read in the books, Radhamani has a real-life inspirational story of success that’s worth telling. So, here I am writing and trying to do justice to her valiant efforts. Let’s explore her inspirational story that touched the hearts of many.

Radhamani: The Walking Library!

Radhamani K.P is lovingly known as the Walking Library in the Hills of Wayanad. She lives in Mothakarra in Vellamunda in Wayanad. It has been eight years since she took this mantle from her senior to serve as the Walking Library in the Pratibha Public Library located in her village. As the walking Library, her job is to deliver books to books lovers at their homes. Radhamani loves her job. She walks about 6 kilometers every day and distributes books for people to read at the low cost of Rs.5/-. This way, she encourages the habit of reading in everyone! Not a day goes by when you do not see the smiling Radhamani religiously walking through the streets with a bag of 30 to 40 books! Such is the intensity of her passion for books!

• Her passion became her Career!

Originally belonging to Vazhoor village in Kottayam, she studied till class X, but the books she read in her school helped her develop a love for reading. Her neighbor once took her to the inauguration of the new building of the Pratibha Public Library in 1961. She did not know that she would get a job there. Then, she got married in 1971. Her husband Padmanabhan Nambiar is a small shop owner. He has a son named KP Rajilesh, who is an auto-rickshaw driver! She was fortunate to expand her passion into an admirable career!

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• The flag bearer of Women's Liberation! 

She started her work in 2012 because the tribals had difficulty traveling a long distance to come to the library. The books were expensive also. Hence, Radhamani decided to reach out to them and remove any obstacle in their way that prevented them from reading! She delivers around 500 books a month. She is of the view that women must not leave any opportunity to move forward in life!

• Walking is good for Health! 

Radhamani walks down the topsy-turvy terrains of Wayanad to deliver the books. She says, "Many times, people ask me why I don’t use a vehicle to deliver the books?" There are two reasons - walking and nature! Walking is good for health. Honestly, I am healthy because I am active. Why use a vehicle and increase pollution when I can walk easily! For this reason, I go walking to deliver the books!

• Plan to Focus on Women! 

The library was established in 1961, but it became possible for people to join it regularly only a few years ago, especially for women! "The Kerala State Council Library made a special initiative to connect women with the books and the library! If women cannot come to the library, we must take the library to them! This initiative began for the women, but now children and elders also take books from me."

• Book Distribution Project for Women and the Elderly! 

First, it was known as the Women's Reading Project, but now it is called the 'Book Distribution Project for Women and Elderly.' For the last eight years, Radhamani is delivering books to every home under this initiative! She says, "I get up at 5:30 every morning, and after completing the daily chores, I go to the library. After this, I keep some books in the bag and go home to home, distributing the books. I always keep a register with me to keep a record of their name, the name of the books and date, etc.”

• Distribution of All Types of Books

Radhamani has all types of books in her bag. There are short stories and novels for women and children. But the best part is they can prepare for their competitive exams through the educative materials and Tutorials given by Radhamani. It is very helpful for their career. Radhamani tells us previously women use to read Manorama and Mangalam, but now they are interested in reading novels, and their love of reading has increased. 

Also Read: Women’s Day Special – The Success Story Of Vineeta Singh

• Dedicated Service for Book Lovers!

Radhamani tells us that 102 people are associated with the library, of which 94 are women. But these days, women also work in the office. So she goes for distribution on Sunday and takes her weekly off on Monday instead! Due to the Corona pandemic, she follows all guidelines like social distancing and mask and covers only 20 homes. She further tells us that she doesn't feel tired, but sometimes books become very heavy to carry. But when people tell her what they want to read, and, what they liked in a book, she forgets all her stress and worries!

Conclusion

Radhamani is also associated with the Haritha Karma Sena and collects Plastic for Recycling. She is also a tourist guide, and now we all know about her selfless service to book lovers, especially women! Radhamani is indeed a remarkable personality! The walking library can be referred to as a hero of our country. She is the one who is helping education to reach out to the deprived people. They can get hold of a book at just Rs.5/- and enjoy the fruits of learning. Such people are an inspiration, and until they are alive, the printed word will never become extinct! Happy Reading!

We have covered this article in Hindi as well! If you want to explore, click here.