NAGPUR: On Friday morning, inside Trimurti Nagar's NIT garden, three tables showcasing an array of books in various genres were displayed in one corner, near the jogging track . Behind hung a poster which read 'Phirte granthalay', a moving library. Next to it was a poster with 'Read India' written in bold letters. "That morning, several people saw the banners and books with curiosity. Some came and browsed the books the next day, and some registered. On the third day, over 30 people took forms from us," said Anil Chanakhekar, secretary of Rajaram Dixit Vachanalaya, Dharampeth.Till Sunday, this library saw 18 registrations in the garden itself, and will be moving next to Sneh Nagar garden, followed by Aaji-Ajoba Park in Swawalambi Nagar to attract registrations.Under this initiative, the members will need to pay a registration charge of Rs300, and Rs100 as monthly fee; Rs150 if the reader wants to borrow two books at a time. The registration charge has been levied so that each registration helps the library buy one book in order to offer readers latest books in future. The monthly charge barely covers up the transportation cost and salary of a helper, says Chanakhekar. This mobile library will aim to cover west Nagpur and other areas, including Wadi and Hingna which have developed recently but lack public library facility.Chanakhekar, 66, has been working in the library since past 25 years and wants to take books to the readers. In this time and age where people can easily buy books, or read through devices like Kindle, the reverence for libraries has declined. "It's time when the libraries need to come out of its enclosure and reach out to its readers," he says, adding, "Beyond Dharampeth and Laxmi Nagar , there is a dearth of libraries. The social work of building libraries stopped after the 70s. Parents who register as members can avail children's books for free. Children are the future of tomorrow and this initiative is for them."Once members register, the van will visit their locality at least four times a week where they can exchange books. Upon request, the library can also visit them more frequently.While Kishore Muley , a resident of Bhagyashree Layout feels the registration charge could be avoided, most members have lauded the initiative. "We were hunting for something like this in our area and are lucky to have registered since there are no libraries here. It is a nice initiative which will enable children to read and will usher a change in them," says Nitin Sirasrao, a resident of Trimurti Nagar, who has issued books for himself as well as his son.Neeta Deshpande, a former teacher living in the same area, admits that libraries are distant, and when they become accessible, it will improve the reading habits of children. "This concept has proved very beneficial for us. The youth of tomorrow will progress if they read. I've registered my son," she says.In October last year, to commemorate the 85th birth anniversary of former President of India APJ Abdul Kalam's, Chanakhekar had organized book exhibitions at various gardens across the city.

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