RK Puram Police Station Library: A Unique Education Initiative by Delhi Police for Children
Team L&M
Delhi Police is often associated with law enforcement, crime investigation, and maintaining public order. However, at the RK Puram Police Station in South West Delhi, the force is also playing a powerful role in education and community development.
A fully functional public library inside a police station is changing lives by offering children a safe space to study, learn, and grow.
A Police Station Turned Learning Hub in Delhi
The library at RK Puram Police Station was first established in December 2019. Although it was temporarily closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has now been reopened with upgraded facilities.
This initiative reflects a new vision of community policing—where education and safety go hand in hand.
Modern Library Facilities for Students
The RK Puram Police Station library is equipped with modern learning infrastructure, including:
- Over 4,000 books across multiple subjects
- Competitive exam preparation books (engineering, medicine, architecture, design, fashion, etc.)
- Smartboards and computers for digital learning
- Wi-Fi-enabled study environment
- Fully air-conditioned reading space
- CCTV surveillance for complete safety
The library operates from 9 AM to 5 PM throughout the week, making it accessible for school students and aspirants.
Safe Study Environment for Children
One of the biggest advantages of this library is safety. Because it is located inside a police station, parents feel confident sending their children without worry. According to RK Puram SHO Rajesh Kumar Sharma, the idea was to create a secure learning space for children, especially those from nearby slum clusters who are at risk of dropping out of school. He explained that the goal is to prevent children from falling into negative influences by giving them access to education and guidance.
Academic Support and Expert Guidance
The library does more than provide books.
Police officials also arrange:
- Guest lectures from Delhi University and Jamia Millia Islamia faculty
- Online and offline academic support sessions
- Subject-specific help for struggling students
These initiatives help students strengthen their academic foundation and prepare for future careers.
Community Engagement by Delhi Police Officers
Senior officers actively participate in mentoring students. Ingit Pratap Singh regularly visits the library, interacts with children, and helps them with academic doubts, especially in history.
He shared that the idea was inspired years ago during his training, and he always wanted to create a learning space within a police station to support underprivileged children.
Support from Organisations and NGOs
The success of the RK Puram library is also driven by external support. Key contributors include:
- GAIL India (providing books, audio-visual tools, and infrastructure support)
- Shikhar Foundation (offering career counselling and guidance)
This collaboration ensures that students receive both academic and career-oriented support.
Impact on Children and the Community
At any given time, around 100 children can study in the library. The initiative has helped:
- Reduce school dropouts
- Provide safe after-school study space
- Encourage competitive exam preparation
- Build trust between police and community
- Improve access to quality learning resources
A Model for Future Police Station Libraries
Inspired by the success of RK Puram, more such libraries are being planned across Delhi Police stations. The focus remains on:
- Demand from local communities
- Student participation
- Expanding educational access in underserved areas
The RK Puram Police Station library is a powerful example of how law enforcement can contribute to education and social development. By transforming part of a police station into a modern learning space, Delhi Police is not only ensuring safety but also empowering the next generation through education.
This initiative proves that community policing can go beyond security—it can build futures.
