Books have always fascinated me, from the time I laid hands on one, its been a magical journey. Running through enchanted forests, flying like peter pan, mystery, suspene, thrill, happiness, joy, sadness; you live so many lives, each unique, each special all through the mind and the words you read. I’ve learnt so much only because of books, it has opened up new horizons and shown new doors. Every walk of like has been influenced by what has been in between pages, right from school over to college and the new medium of the net; it has given me so much information, provided so much knowledge. I am fortunate to have had access and still have access to so much. My interest has only been strong because I have had them always around me, in front of me. My parents used to read a lot and I was fortunate to be born into such a family.
Now while working with children, one of the major drawbacks I am witness to is the fact that they do not have access to such books and information. It is not the lack of will but the lack of information that such avenues do exist. When you talk to them, you see their eyes light up, their complete focused attention to the information you provide to them, the discussion of how electricity reaches your home and the bulb overhead, how is it that a remote works, where to TV channels come from, how is it that I can see it on TV… they listen with rapt attention, absorb every little detail you tell them and then bombard you with a hundred questions…
It is not that they are not intelligent or not interested, it is just that they do not know the opportunities available to them. That I think is something to be worked on…
Everytime I (becoming far in between now) visit the National Library (Bangalore), its usually empty. I keep wondering that though it is nested right in the middle of Cubbon Park (hundreds of children come everyday); how many go to the library (or to the museum on kasturba road)? How many know the value that is within those buildings? The value in those buildings cannot ever be matched, it is a treasure trove for those who would only venture. I vividly remember the library in Coorg, hours together spent reading in the room while it poured outside. Every two months in the year while down for our vacations was a treat in itself and very prominently in memory is the afternoon sessions in the library. Gently tucked in between the State bank and the Rotary School, this was where I met all the scholars, the dramatists, poets and the fictionists, here was where I made friendship with superman and chacha chaudari, asterix and krishna.
I keep wondering when it is I will start my reading library, a place where people can come and just enjoy reading, where children will come for the love of knowledge and to meet their very own super heros. Something that I have been thinking about for a while now and would like to do. Crossword, Sapna, Gangarams, British Council and a handful of big book stores - Can we open one big reading center? Not a Library, no lending of books; just come, read and go. So many books lie wasted, seconds and thirds kept in warehouses and cupboards, never seeing sunlight or igniting a young mind. I am thinking of how this can be made a self sustaining model. It would be great to hear your comments on this.
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