Bibliophiles walk out with free books in Bangalore

After the Internet revolution kicked off, the habit of reading books has almost waned for many. However, Srushti Ventures’ innovative book exhibition has brought this habit to life, with their unique concept.  Everyone who walked into their exhibition at Volley Ball grounds at Basavangudi walked out with a free book of their choice.

“Visitors took any book they chose and we gave that one book to them. This way, the value for books remains and people get to make books their best friends,” said Nagaraj Navunda, member, Srushti Ventures (resource centre).

From a mere 7,000 books four years ago, the Pustaka Parishe (book exhibition) has grown to 1.5 lakh books today. “In the second year, the number dipped to just 4,000. The third expo saw 40,000 books and then our spirits grew,” said Navunda.

On the inauguration of the exhibition, Tejaswini Ananthkumar, president, Adhamya Chethana, said, “When I got married, our first property was a collection of 1,000 books. This has now grown to around 4,000 books at home. This exhibition is truly innovative and deserves global recognition. We were taking a stroll around and spotted a book by a no so famous writer, who has given it to writer BV Karanth. Every book has a story to tell here.”

On the occasion, Siddalingaiah, president, Kannada Book Authority, said, “The custom of giving books away has come down drastically. It is a tradition among many Jain sects too. But, this exhibition has been running successfully for the last four years which is laudable.”

“Books were once banned in cultures where oppression was high. Not everyone is privileged enough to read a book. It is a way to get salvation from material world. Books take you to another world, and sometimes back in time and sometimes to the future. It is a sort of meeting of two souls. This book exhibition helps many attain that salvation,” he said.

Unlike other activities, he opined, books can be used at any point of the day, anywhere. “We can read a book standing, sitting or even lying down. No other activity can be so flexible,” he said. The exhibition saw all kinds of books from small to big, new to old—and each had a story to tell. “I found a book signed by writer KS Narasimhaswamy,” said

Krishna KN, a Kannada literature student. Organisers have aimed at increasing the numbers from this year’s 1.5 lakh books to 10 lakh next year.