The Mumbai Municipal Corporation has started a book sale centre in the vicinity of Dinanath Theater in Vile Parle, as well as in the swimming pool area in Chembur. Both these book selling centres were inaugurated on the occasion of Independence Day.
The administration has decided to provide paid space to the publishers for selling books in the theatres and swimming pools of the BMC. Publishers appealed for that. After receiving the response from the publishers, book selling centres are now being started at various places. A book sale centre of Majestic Prakashan was launched at Prabodhankar Thackeray Theatre in Borivali on February 27 on the occasion of Marathi Language Day. After that, on Tuesday on Independence Day, Jyotsana Publications was given space for a book sale centre in the area of Dinanath Theatre in Vile Parle and on the first day this centre received a large response from the readers. At the same time, coordinator Sandeep Vaishampayan informed that Manovikas Prakashan has been given a place for a book sale centre in the area of General Arun Kumar Vaidya swimming pool of Municipal Corporation in Chembur.
In the age of information technology, there are fears that reading culture is dying out due to excessive use of mobile phones. Very few citizens set foot in book fairs or bookstores. Therefore, the civic body has decided to provide space and facilities to the publishers so that the books reach the citizens. There are four theatres owned by the BMC in Mumbai and paid space will be provided to the publishers for selling books in the premises of these theatres. Also, space will be made available for book selling centres in the municipal swimming pools at Dadar, Chembur, Kandivali, Dahisar East and Andheri West.
The municipal commissioner has also given administrative approval to this initiative which was conceptualised by Additional Commissioner Ashwini Bhide. Accordingly, Deputy Commissioner Kishore Gandhi called for applications from the publishers for this initiative. Renowned publishers in the Marathi literary world have responded to this plan. These publishers can also keep the books of other publishers for sale in this centre.
Educational books cannot be kept for sale in these centres. It has also been stipulated that no items other than books in Marathi literature can be sold here, even offensive books cannot be sold.
Space, water and electricity will be provided to the publishers for this initiative of books at 15 percent discount to the readers. Vaishampayan also informed that moderate conditions have been imposed on the publishers. INR 6,000 will be charged for this place. Also, it has been stipulated to give books at 15 percent discount to the readers. Therefore, readers will also benefit from this activity.
Share
Tweet
