Maharashtra gets ambitious with India’s first ‘book village’
Encouraged by the response to India’s first ‘book village’, the Maharashtra government now looks to further develop the place, which was until now, only known for its strawberries.
Bhilar, near Pune, is modelled on the world’s largest secondhand book centre — Hay-onwye, a village in Wales, UK. You can pick up one of 15,000 books, rare issues of various periodicals, novels and reference books about Maharashtra and Marathi culture written by prominent authors.
On Thursday, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the village situated near Mahabaleshwar. Fadnavis promised to make Bhilar the destination for Marathi literature while education minister Vinod Tawde announced that books in other languages will be available soon.
Bhilar has a population of about 10,000 people, 90% of whom are involved in farming. The village and its surrounding areas produce about 100 tonnes of strawberries annually, netting Rs50 crore.
During the inauguration, Bhilar wore a festive look as its residents welcomed guests with rangolis and beating dhol tashas.
“We have changed a lot in the past few days”, said Akshay Bhilare, resident.
For the initiative, the government had identified 25 houses in Bhilar, where books will be kept for the readers. Most of these houses have undergone huge renovations to attract readers. Local residents believe that Bhilar’s new identity will not merely promote literature and a reading habit, but also generate jobs.
The idea of a ‘book village’ was moved by Tawde — inspired by Hay-on-wye— around two years ago. Bhilar was chosen because of its proximity to Mahabaleshwar, a favourite destination for tourists. Initially, 40 families were willing to participate in the scheme, later, 25 houses were fixed by the government.
The books are on nature, novels, poems, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, social reformation movements, Marathi culture, history, sports and works by saints.
Each family has been given the responsibility of a section. A guest is provided with a pamphlet, which gives information of the families and the section they
reading hall has been made in all 25 houses. In some cases, families are even ready to make arrangements for food and stay for the guests. Three restaurants have also signed up for the scheme.
The houses can be easily identified by the paintings on their walls. For example: The house, which has books on humour, has portraits of prominent writers like Pu La Deshpande and Acharya P K Atre etched ouside
the 25 houses where the books will be available.
According to a source, publishing houses and organisations have been asked to organise literary programmes at Bhilar. Schools will also be advised to bring their students to the Bhilar, if they visit Mahabaleshwar.
Tawde said several book lovers and institutions have contacted him and wanted to donate books to Bhilar. “These books will be accepted and will be made