Books on Delhi Metro: Library On Wheels

- Mridul Jain (mridul11jain@gmail.com)

Books On The Delhi Metro is a not-for-profit initiative started in mid-May 2017 and it is aimed at promoting reading while commuting. The initiative functions as a public library, but on wheels. As a part of the global organization, Books on the Move Global, the initiative aims to bring back the joy of reading and sharing.

It was founded by Shruti Sharma and Tarun Chauhan and now the small family has grown to house 40 volunteers, some with nicknames like 18 and spicy. Their aim is simple: they want people to get into the habit of reading. And knowing that reading demands a considerable amount of time, what else could be better than reading while commuting!

So if you find a stickered book on the Metro, feel free to pick it up and take it home with you. But when you’re done, be sure to put it back on the metro for someone else to enjoy.

With this initiative, they intend to bring the glory of our literature back.They want to attract Delhi’s attention towards new authors, new stories, and literary initiatives happening in the city as well as world.Mass drops also happen like on birthdays of famous authors like Roald Dahl, Agatha Christie or John Green or events like the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter.

The books are dropped inside the metro station- on the platform benches or near the signages. This is like a treasure hunt and all the more exciting that you feel like Sherlock. The very next moment, if you are a follower of their social media handles, you will see the image of the book and a hint of where it is dropped.

Now if you happen to be lucky, and if the book is travelling on the same route as yours, pick it up! It’s yours now. Take it with you. Read it. Let them know by tagging them with a hashtag #booksonthedelhimetro .They do not collect books back. So the person who finds it, they can read it at their leisure. That said, it’s not a freebie or a giveaway.Shruti Sharma, founder says that she trusts people to follow – ‘Take it, read it, and return for someone else to enjoy’.

There is a positive response that they have received from Delhi. They have been well appreciated and this motivates them to continue this in better ways. Shruti says,''Delhi has been very kind to us. We have got many books in circulation, which means people are picking it up, reading it and becoming a source of happiness for others.The choice of our books is random. But we do not drop books which can hurt religious sentiments or which are politically biased.''

Honestly, my experience after joining BODM as a volunteer has been truly soul satisfying.It feels really great to be in the company of people who love books and encourage you to read more.Daily conversations on books act like a tonic! The smell of new books is something I can't describe in words.