UP’s First State University Braille Library Opens with 4,000+ Books
Lucknow | January 5, 2026 Aligning with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s mission for the empowerment of persons with disabilities, Uttar Pradesh has marked a historic milestone in higher education. Dr. Shakuntala Mishra National Rehabilitation University (DSMNRU) has inaugurated the state’s first-ever organized Braille library section at the state university level.
The facility, located on the first floor of the Swami Vivekananda Central Library, was officially opened by Vice-Chancellor Acharya Sanjay Singh on January 4, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Louis Braille.
Key Highlights of the Braille Library
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Massive Collection: The library houses over 4,000 Braille books based on the National Education Policy (NEP).
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Course Coverage: The collection covers 54 Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) courses.
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Infrastructure: A dedicated reading room with a seating capacity for over 150 students.
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Future Goals: The university aims to expand the collection to 10,000 books within the year, adding novels, biographies, and classical literature to the academic catalog.
Beyond the Campus: Membership for All
In an effort to promote "Education for All," the library will not be restricted to DSMNRU students. Visually impaired scholars and residents from outside the university can also access the resources through three new membership tiers:
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Special Membership: Open to researchers, academicians, and Lucknow residents.
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Casual Membership: A short-term option (up to six months) for temporary access to resources.
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Corporate Membership: Designed for organizations in Lucknow, allowing up to six employees to utilize library facilities.
Empowerment Through Literacy
During the inauguration, Vice-Chancellor Acharya Sanjay Singh emphasized that Braille is more than a script; it is a gateway to the mainstream of society. He also directed the administration to integrate modern computer training for visually impaired students to ensure they are equipped for the digital age.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) Narendra Kashyap lauded the initiative, noting that this is the first time a state university in UP has developed such a well-organized and extensive Braille press-driven library.
Voices of Gratitude
The move has been met with overwhelming joy from the student community. Braille research scholar Ajay Kumar Dwivedi, along with several other students, expressed their gratitude to the Yogi Government. "While Louis Braille gave us the script to read, this university has provided us with the dignity and facilities to actually use it to build our careers," the students shared.