Ranchi. What is the first thing that comes to one’s mind when someone talks of Jamtara, a town in Jharkhand? Well, most obviously, it is a cybercrime hub. But not anymore! The novel initiatives taken by the District Collector (DC) of Jamtara Faiz Aquil Ahmed Mumtaz is rapidly transforming the identity of the district. The 2014 batch IAS officer Faiz has made an indelible mark by transforming the derelict government buildings into community libraries.

With this innovative initiative, Faiz has given a new direction to the youth by making them focus on education. His tireless efforts have created a safe and conducive space for children and adults to read and learn. Through his work, DC Jamtara has not only revived abandoned govt buildings but also rekindled the hope of many youths who had lost faith in their own capability. Faiz’s contribution is exemplary, and his dedication to public service is an inspiration to many.

The first community library of Jamtara was opened on November 13, 2020 and since then there has been no looking back. Motivated by the acceptance and success of the model, Faiz has established community libraries in all 118 panchayats across six blocks.

Not only this, he has another very compassionate initiative in his credit – The Elders Club. A one-of-its-kind senior citizen club where the elderly people get together to fight back their loneliness and sadness, struck with the dawn of life, in the company of each other.

In an exclusive conversation with Bureaucrats India, IAS Faiz Aquil Ahmed Mumtaz shared about his initiatives and the kind of impact they are creating on the society in detail. Here are excerpts:

Jamtara has got a new and positive identity under your leadership as its District Collector. Notorious for cyber-crimes and visionless youth, now Jamtara is undergoing a holistic transformation. What is your take?

Jamtara has come a long way in a short period of time, a new, positive culture is taking shape here. Though too early to say where it will finally reach, the kind of response we are receiving, I believe, we are on the right course.

How have you come up with the idea of community libraries?

I realized that a large number of students, especially girls, were choosing to dropout after completing the schooling available nearby and also a lot of hardworking smart students were not aspiring for top jobs due to poverty or other challenges. Having lost their confidence and vision, the youths were being trapped in illegal courses. Then I thought of doing our bit to help them focus on education, and thus libraries were built in all Panchayats.

How supportive is the community? Are the youth taking this initiative in a positive stride?

Yes, the community is extremely supportive. People are all involved in its functioning and upkeep. We have organised almost 30,000 guidance classes in the last over two years in these libraries.

What challenges did you face in converting derelict government buildings into community libraries?

The challenge was in the initial stage when I was designing the project. It was both related to sourcing of funds and making the rural population aware of using the libraries. But once we were able to solve that problem, it took off.

As more and more youth are undertaking education, have you noticed its positive impact on law-and-order situations?

Yes, now the youth are more hopeful and aspirational. It is a positive domino effect.

Another very compassionate initiative that you took in Jamtara is the Elders Club for senior citizens. What is the inspiration behind this?

Elder’s Club is an attempt to deal with old age loneliness, depression, anxiety and other mental, emotional and physical health issues among the senior citizens.

What facilities do the senior citizens get in the club and how well received is the facility by the community?

These clubs have various indoor and outdoor games, colour TV, refrigerator, religious and secular books, a park attached to it for walking and exercise. We organize monthly health camps, and visits by small children to rejuvenate elderly people. Every month festivals, birthdays are also celebrated here by the senior citizens. Various recreational competitions are also held from time to time, such as poetry writing and carrom tournaments.

You did your graduation in Hotel Management from Delhi. What inspired you towards the Civil Services?

Well, fate! You get what destiny has in store for you.

Before taking charge as the DC of Jamtara, you were posted as Transport Commissioner in Jharkhand. How was the experience?

I was an SDO in Simdega and DDC in Garhwa before becoming the Transport Commissioner. All these assignments have been quite rich in terms of learning new things by getting exposed to various kinds of pulls and pressures.