Locals help government create India’s first ever Book Village
Read books, gain knowledge, understand history, art, culture and get to know the social development at India’s first ever Book Village. Locals of Bhilar Village near Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani area of Maharashtra have helped the state government to create this book village where any visitor can read books for free.
Over 15,000 books have been provided by the Maharashtra state government to 25 premises including households, temples and guest inns at this village. These households volunteered to provide their homes for displaying these books to support the idea of the Book Village initiated by State Marathi Language and school education minister Vinod Tawde.
Not only books but the villagers have gone a step ahead by letting the visitors stay at their homes and guest houses and providing them food and refreshments. Prashant Bhilare, a villager said, “We have around 550 books displayed at our house and everyday around 60 people visit our house to read books. Our homes are open to anyone who wants to read and we can provide them with facilities to stay if they wish.”
The books consist of various genres like history, culture, poetry, social development, art, and also children-centric subjects. Shweta Wadkar, another villager said, “This initiative will help to encourage the reading culture and help the future generation to gain knowledge. We do not need to go hunting for books to any library or school now.”
The village has over 5,000 people and is majorly known as a tourist destination for its distinct strawberries. Abhijeet Bhilare, a youth added, “Our major source of livelihood is cultivation of strawberries as we have our own farms and supply strawberries to the commercial market across India. Due to this initiative, our village will get a new recognition and more people will be attracted to our village. We can gain some revenue by providing accommodation and food to the visitors.”
Currently, only Marathi language books are available but none of them are for sale. Tawde said, “We aim to get books of varied genres and languages soon so that people can pick and choose whatever they like to read. In few years, we aim to increase the footfall at this village, get more recognition and win the title of the ‘Book Capital’ awarded by the UNESCO.”
The villagers have also given 3.5 acres of their land to the state government to construct an auditorium, library and cultural centre.
The walls of various premises of the village have also been painted to add to the whole literature and cultural feel.
Not only books but the villagers have gone a step ahead by letting the visitors stay at their homes and guest houses and providing them food and refreshments