At this Delhi library, how a 68-year-old retiree keeps the magic of reading alive

Indian Express

2 days ago

Every day at 9 am sharp, 68-year-old Nandkishor Rana walks into the Dr B C Roy Memorial Children's Reading Room and Library — a ritual he has followed for 42 years, continuing even after his retirement.
'I retired five years ago as an Assistant Librarian. Par books aur bachhon se pyaar hai isliye aadat jati nahi (But my love for books and children is what draws me back),' he says, sitting on a chair and inserting a steel rod into a shelf to keep a stack of catalogues in line.
Rana had joined the library as an Attendant. 'It was my dream job…,' he says. 'As a child, whenever I found time, I would run to the library. Now, I share my experiences with children, who treat me like family.'
At a time when screens have replaced books, and children are glued to phones and tablets, Rana keeps the healthy habit of reading intact. There are almost eight other children's libraries across Delhi-NCR. At the B C Roy library — located within the Children's Book Trust (CBT) building at Nehru House — the summer vacations are a huge draw for students, say staff.
The library, which boasts of 7,000 members, is a treasure trove of books — from science, literature, short story collections, encyclopaedias — in various languages. Inside, to the left of the entrance, books are neatly arranged on shelves across three aisles. At the centre lies the reading area, furnished with long tables and chairs. The walls throughout the room are adorned with vibrant paintings by children, illustrating themes ranging from climate change to the ISRO mission.
The library was founded by renowned political cartoonist, the late K Shankar Pillai, in memory of Bharat Ratna Dr B C Roy, who was a physician, educationist and statesman. It was inaugurated on November 12, 1967.
Over the past four decades, Rana says he has witnessed how reading habits have evolved among the younger generation — many now prefer foreign authors. 'We have authors from across the world. But during my time, it was limited to Champak and Balbharti…'
He also laments the general decline in reading. 'In my early years here, children would throng the library in large numbers and we used to screen movies… There used to be a big projector… we had even telecast the 1982 Asian Games… Now, parents bring their children to the library occasionally… I tell them, 'don't take membership if you're not going to come for six months'.'
'Children also stopped reading during the pandemic… it is visible now,' he adds, flipping through the pages of an encyclopedia, which, he says, has been replaced by phones.
Even so, some find time to bring their children to the library. And it is on Sundays that the space comes alive.
Sitting at a table is a family of three — a young boy, his mother, and his grandmother from Sonipat.
'We have been coming here for a month now,' says the mother who did not wish to be named. She is reading a story called 'The Black Clouds' to her four-and-a-half-year-old child.
'I got to know about this library from my mentor, who used to bring their children here,' she says.
A professor at a university, she grew up reading Pinky, a Japanese fashion magazine, and the Chacha Chaudhary comic book series. 'I did read Chacha Chaudhary to my son, but then I realised it is not meant for children. There is a Champak collection in the library, which we reissue every time,' she says, laughing at how it has been a marathon reading session since morning. 'My son had to return the books we previously issued today, so we have been reading all day…'
Next to them, the grandmother is glued to chapter three of a book titled 'Tell Me Why.' 'What is the difference between an autopsy and a post-mortem,' she asks out loud.'
She dreams of being a contestant on Kaun Banega Crorepati one day. 'So many new things have been added — I need to stay updated,' she says.
Looking at the trio, Rana is reminded of his most cherished memory — former members now bringing their own children to join the library. 'A few days ago, a doctor who works at AIIMS, who was with his child, came up to me and said, 'Pehchana kya? (Do you remember me?)'. It made me so happy — to know that my children still recognise me, and that this library has played a part in shaping their future and helping them reach where they are today,' he says with a broad smile.
Nearby are a couple, Atul and Amrita, who have brought along their five-year-old twins. They hope to shift their children's focus from screens to books and instill a habit of reading. 'Our children are yet to learn the alphabet or numbers, but they speak short English sentences. We bring them here to try and ration their screen time,' says Atul.
'I'm really glad that a library like this exists for children. There are other libraries too, but they don't have a space to sit and read,' Amrita says, picking up a stack of chosen books.
Also at the library is a Class VI student from Nizamuddin Basti — he wants to improve his vocabulary. 'I love (books by) Ruskin Bond and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I'm cultivating the habit of reading,' he says.
Since the library's inception, CBT has been publishing a monthly magazine called Children's World. It invites children to contribute poems, stories, features, and artwork, while adults can submit stories and features.
Geeta Menon, editor of the magazine, says the pieces submitted by the children have undergone a sea change. 'Earlier, we used to get long poems… now it's hardly 10 sentences — there is no patience left in children anymore,' she sighs.
'But we see a lot of new people becoming members during the summer vacations, since the child is free and parents make time to accompany them. Children also get projects and extra-curricular reading, and they come to the library because it has reference books to help them,' she adds.
Back at the registration desk, Rana is busy counselling a new visitor. 'Get a membership for your child only if you want to come here regularly,' he smiles.