Patna: Can a "human library" save schoolchildren from loneliness and depression stemming from inadequate parental attention? Dr Ram Singh, principal of Delhi Public School in Ranchi, believes so.

Singh, who has 25 years of experience in education, feels these days parents often do not - or cannot - give much attention to their children as there is a communication gap between them, leading to kids feeling alone and depressed. And in such a scenario, the human library can help.

But what exactly is a human library? To explain, Singh quotes former President APJ Abdul Kalam: "One best book is equal to a hundred friends but one good friend is equal to a whole library."

He said that in the human library, students interact with successful persons in an informal gathering on the school premises in which they share their life experiences.

Singh, an Uttar Pradesh native who has worked in DPS branches in Bokaro and Chhattisgarh, launched the scheme in his school in August last year.

He said many eminent personalities from different walks of life such as writers, educationists and doctors had came to the school to enlighten students.

"Those days have gone when schools were considered for educating children only," said Singh. "Now modern-day educators are pre-emptive in bringing such innovative ideas for inculcating life skills. One of the most prominent issues that emerged after the disappearance of joint family is lack of proper parenting."