For communities recovering from devastating floods, rebuilding homes and restoring livelihoods are immediate priorities. But for children, recovery also means restoring a sense of hope, imagination and possibility.
With this in mind, the Raindrops Initiative Assam, led by Abid Azad, has launched ‘Project Pakhi | Raindrops Children’s Library’, a post-flood rehabilitation initiative aimed at creating children’s libraries across flood-affected villages in Sivasagar and Charaideo.
The project takes its name from Zubeen Garg’s song ‘Pakhi’, reflecting its focus on children’s imagination, dreams and learning.
The initiative began on 15 August, when the organisation established its first children’s library at Sandikoi Chetia village in Sivasagar district.
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For the volunteers, the project marks a shift from immediate relief to long-term community rehabilitation.
“After distributing relief materials in Sivasagar and Charaideo, we realised that our work could not end there. We wanted to do something for the children in these flood-affected communities in the long term. That thought gave birth to Project Pakhi,” the organisation said.
From relief work to rebuilding childhood
The Raindrops Initiative had earlier been involved in relief activities across flood-affected areas, including food and clothing distribution and community-led clean-up efforts. Volunteers also helped remove mud from flood-damaged homes.
However, the organisation felt that children needed support beyond immediate relief.
The idea behind Project Pakhi is to create spaces where children can read, explore and reconnect with learning and normal childhood routines after the trauma of the floods.
At the first library in Sandikoi Chetia, children, young people and elderly residents joined the volunteers in setting up the space. The excitement among children as they explored the books became one of the most memorable moments for the team.
Why ‘Pakhi’?
The project takes its name from Zubeen Garg’s musical album Pakhi and the song “Pakhi Pakhi Ei Mon, Pakhi Loga Mur Mon”.
According to the organisation, the name reflects its hope that books will give children’s imaginations and dreams wings.
Garg was also known for his love of books and reading. The initiative has cited one of his remarks:
“A nation that does not read books cannot be saved by a gamocha.”
“কিতাপ নপঢ়া জাতিক গামোচাই বচাব নোৱাৰে।”
For the Raindrops team, the sentiment captures the larger purpose of Project Pakhi, encouraging children to read, imagine, learn and dream.
Three libraries and counting
Following the first library at Sandikoi Chetia, the organisation has established two more Raindrops Children’s Libraries at Gargaon Chariali and Bakta Nemuguri Moliya Gaon.
The initiative is now aiming to establish around 100 children’s libraries across villages in Sivasagar and Charaideo.
The libraries are designed to remain open and accessible, with children able to read books free of cost and return them so that others can use them.
The project has received support from the Boston Assamese Community and the North Carolina Assamese Community, whose assistance during the flood relief efforts also contributed to the establishment of the additional libraries.
The initiative has also received children’s books from supporters and well-wishers following its appeal, “We need books.”
Children take ownership as ‘Pakhi Captains’
Project Pakhi is also encouraging children to take responsibility for the libraries.
During the establishment of the libraries at Gargaon Chariali and Bakta Nemuguri Moliya Gaon, local children, parents and members of the Moina Parijat supported the Raindrops team.
The children have volunteered to look after the libraries and have been given the title ‘Pakhi Captains’.
The organisation said the willingness of local children and community members to take ownership of the libraries has been particularly encouraging.
Rebuilding dreams after the floods
For Raindrops Initiative, Project Pakhi is about more than providing books.
“Flood-damaged homes will eventually be rebuilt. But alongside that, the dreams of the children also need to be rebuilt.”
The organisation’s vision is to have a small children’s library in every flood-affected village, without locks or barriers, where children can freely pick up a book, read, explore and discover something new.
The initiative also hopes to encourage children to spend less time on mobile phones and develop a greater interest in reading and learning.
More importantly, the libraries are intended to become spaces where children can build confidence, imagine possibilities and dream about their future.
A 100-library dream
What began with one library in Sandikoi Chetia is now being envisioned as a larger community movement.
Raindrops Initiative aims to establish 100 children’s libraries in 100 villages under Project Pakhi.
The organisation has invited individuals and families who wish to dedicate a children’s library in the name of their parents, children or loved ones to come forward and support the initiative.
It is also seeking donations of new books and good-condition used books suitable for children.
For the volunteers, the hope is that a donated book could become a child’s favourite, and perhaps even influence the direction of that child’s dreams.
From clearing floodwaters and mud from homes to placing books in children’s hands, Project Pakhi seeks to make post-flood recovery about more than rebuilding physical structures. It is about helping children rebuild their dreams.
From COVID relief to community and environmental work
The Project Pakhi initiative is part of a broader journey undertaken by the Raindrops Initiative Assam.
The organisation began during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, when Guwahati-based social worker Abid Azad and a group of friends started providing free meals to COVID-affected families and patient attendants at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
What began as an effort to ensure that people did not go hungry gradually expanded into wider community work, including food distribution, healthcare support, environmental conservation, flood relief and other social welfare activities.
The organisation has also undertaken tree plantation and environmental conservation initiatives across Assam.
According to a Times of India report published in 2024, the organisation had planted more than 6,000 trees across Assam over the preceding three years and had also collaborated with the Guwahati Municipal Corporation on urban tree-planting initiatives.
Its dedicated tree-plantation programme began in 2022, with an emphasis not only on planting saplings but also on their survival and maintenance. The initiative has encouraged people to dedicate trees to parents, teachers, children and friends on occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries.
From feeding people during the pandemic and planting trees to responding to floods and now creating children’s libraries, Raindrops Initiative’s work has evolved into a broader effort focused on community welfare, environmental conservation and long-term recovery.
Project Pakhi | Raindrops Children’s Library
A post-flood rehabilitation initiative by Raindrops Initiative Assam.
One library. One village. One child at a time.
The dream: 100 libraries across 100 villages.
Also read | Why Assam’s riverine vulnerability can no longer be ignored
