Raindrops opens children’s libraries in flood-hit villages

NAZIRA, August 21, 2026 — The Raindrops Initiative, a voluntary organisation led by Guwahati-based social worker Abid Azad, has undertaken another initiative in the flood-affected areas of Sivasagar and Charaideo districts by establishing open children’s libraries to support the mental and intellectual development of children affected by the devastating floods.

Known for its sustained social service activities, including serving free meals to people outside the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital and conducting tree plantation and other welfare programmes across Assam, members of the Raindrops Initiative had earlier reached out to flood-hit communities in Upper Assam.

Following their initial food distribution drives in several flood-affected areas of Nazira and Charaideo, the volunteers also participated in voluntary labour programmes and distributed clothes at places including Jatiya Vidyalaya. The organisation has now launched a new initiative aimed at helping children recover emotionally and intellectually from the impact of the floods.

Named the “Pakhi Project”, after the popular song Pakhi by late Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, the initiative aims to establish 100 open children’s libraries in at least 100 flood-affected villages across Upper Assam.

The first children’s library under the project was established on August 15 at Handique Chetia village in the Santak area of Nazira co-district, one of the regions severely affected by the recent floods. Subsequently, libraries were established at Gargaon Chariali, Bakta Nemuguri Moliya Gaon and in Nazira town.

The libraries have been enriched with child-friendly books donated by well-wishers and supporters in response to the organisation’s public appeal: “We need books.”

Local residents have welcomed the initiative, saying that the open libraries could play an important role in encouraging reading habits and supporting the mental development of children in flood-affected communities.

The Raindrops Initiative has expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed books and supported the project, describing them as partners in its vision of taking the initiative to 100 villages.

According to the organisation’s volunteers, the libraries are deliberately being kept open without locks so that children can access the books whenever they wish. The initiative aims to encourage children to move away from excessive mobile phone use, develop curiosity, discover new knowledge and gain the confidence to dream of a better future.

“Our journey has begun with this small library, and our dream is to reach 100 villages one day. Let every flood-affected village have a small children’s library. There will be no locks on these libraries. Whenever children feel like it, they can browse through the books, read them and experience the joy of books. We want them to move away from mobile phones, become curious to learn something new, find the courage to move forward in life and dream of becoming better human beings. That is the aspiration of the Raindrops Initiative,” Abid Azad said publicly.