Books On Wheels

“Not everyone can travel all the way to Hyderabad just to buy books. With the thought that books should reach every doorstep, we decided to take them to the people instead,” says Panyala Narayana Reddy, Publications Manager at Navachetana.

The publication runs mobile vans stocked with thousands of titles in both Telugu and English. They make their way across towns in Telangana, halting for four to five days in each location based on the local response.

People are free to browse, flip through pages, and choose what speaks to them. “The idea is to create space for reading and awareness,” says Reddy.

In many places where schools don’t have proper libraries and public reading spaces are limited, the vans fill a much-needed gap. “We also stock books from publishers in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru,” he adds. At present, two vans are part of the initiative. Each is staffed by a three-member team that travels for 30 to 35 days at a stretch, two to three times a year. The vans are equipped with basic living facilities including sleeping space, storage, seating, and a small cooking setup. Operations pause during the peak summer months of April and May when temperatures soar, and also during major festivals. “We also take a break when the Hyderabad Book Fair is on, since it’s one of the biggest events we participate in,” he says.

While the concept of book vans isn’t entirely new, Navachetana has adapted and evolved with time. “Earlier, the vans were very basic. In recent years, we’ve expanded our routes, improved the display and increased the variety of books,” Reddy says.

The initiative is about keeping the habit of reading alive. “Our motive is simple,” Reddy says. “We want to bring books to people and revive the joy of reading — especially physical books. These days, not many are reading. We hope that changes, even if just a little, and we’re glad to be a part of that.”