Lucknow Gets UP’s First Braille Library with 4,000+ Books!

Lucknow has taken a significant step towards inclusive education with the launch of Uttar Pradesh’s first-ever Braille library, marking a milestone for students with visual impairment in the state.

The facility has been set up at the Dr Shakuntala Mishra National Rehabilitation University (DSMNRU) and houses a rich collection of over 4,000 Braille books. The initiative aligns with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision of empowering persons with disabilities through equal access to education and learning resources.

Located on the first floor of the Swami Vivekananda Central Library within the university campus, the Braille library was inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Acharya Sanjay Singh. The launch coincided with the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, the pioneer of the Braille script, whose statue at the university was also honoured with floral tributes.

Speaking at the event, Singh encouraged students with visual impairment to focus on self-reliance and skill development, while directing the university administration to strengthen modern computer training facilities for them. He highlighted the role of Braille as a powerful educational tool that helps visually impaired individuals integrate confidently into mainstream society.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Backwards Classes Welfare and Divyangjan Empowerment Narendra Kashyap said the library features NEP-based academic material published by the university’s own Braille press. The collection spans 54 undergraduate and postgraduate courses, making it one of the most comprehensive Braille academic libraries in the state.

The reading room can accommodate over 150 students at a time, ensuring a comfortable and focused learning environment. According to university spokesperson and library in-charge Prof Yashwant Viroday, the institution plans to expand the collection to 10,000 books within the year. In addition to textbooks, readers will also find novels, plays, biographies and other literary works.

Importantly, the library will not be restricted to university students. Visually impaired residents of Lucknow and scholars from outside the campus will be able to access the facility through various membership options, including special, casual and corporate memberships.

With this initiative, Lucknow strengthens its position as a city steadily embracing inclusive infrastructure—ensuring that education truly remains accessible to all.