Ahmedabad gets new platform to boost book reading

It sounds like an oft-repeated cliché when someone says a book quenches the thirst of conscience. But if you happen to be an avid reader, the city has just been introduced to a literary platform — Pustak ni Parab — to quench the thirst of bookworms.

Parab is a Gujarati word for places offering water for free to the thirsty. And, the project, launched by like-minded people in Ahmedabad, aims to quench one’s literary thirst by providing books donated and borrowed by Amdavadis — for free.

The project — part of Matrubhasha Abhiyan — was launched on October 16 and soon, around 5,000 books were collected and shared by hundreds of readers across the city. The donations included novels and books on religion, philosophy and mythology as well.

Rasu Vakil, who initiated Matrubhasha Abhiyan, said the project would soon be expanded to 13 centres across the state.

“The project, which has seen a wider participation of youngsters, will also see at least two more centres in Ahmedabad,” he indicated.

Pustak ni Parab accepts donations of books and allows readers to borrow books first Sunday of every month. The Parab is held at five places in the city. They are Kankaria Lake, Naroda lake, Vastrapur lake, Himmatlal Park and Matrubhasha Abhiyan’s office opposite Navajeevan Trust from 7.30 am to 9 am.

“This new initiative aims to encourage people to read books. There are people, who want to read but do not have books while some have unused books as they have read them already. The new initiative is not only a collective effort to share good books but would also help in socialising as people can make new acquaintance, discuss books and make new friends only to strengthen the literary circle,” said Rajendra Patel, who conceived the idea of Pustak ni Parab.

Alkesh Dave, principal of an arts college near Vadodara, spends weekends at his Amdavad home. Once he got wind of the initiative, he immediately donated dozens of books from his personal collection to the Parab.

“This not only gives a platform to book lovers to share the best of books with others but also gives an opportunity to read what one may never come across. It is like giving an enriching experience to your literary soul by offering a variety read,” said Dave’s wife Sangeeta, a voracious reader herself.

But will this inspire youngsters to read books? “I have lost hope that the new generation would develop a habit of reading because they simply rely on technology which does not allow anytime for books,” she rued.

Manu Trivedi, a 55-year-old retiree, said the Parab needed variety. “It is like going to a library where you don’t need an entry card. But if more people share their books, the Parab would have a wider variety and allow more people to take part.”

Donations included novels and books on religion, philosophy and mythology as well.