Bhilar, a village located between the hill stations of Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani will soon be famous as it will become India’s first “village of books”.
Maharashtra Minister for Culture Affairs and Marathi Language Vinod Tawde informed that 15,000+ books would be made available and placed at around 25 homes or schools or temples. Any one can pick up any book and after reading it would return it. All these 25 premises would in fact act as mini-libraries. This unique programme will imbibe readership habits, the minister said.
On the 4th of May, the formal inauguration of this project will take place. To start with Marathi books have been placed and soon more Hindi and English books would also be placed here. All the 25 premises have been beautifully painted by the local artists.
Such initiatives can be undertaken in other villages across the country too. Even the local community and voluntary organisations can initiate this in their area of operation.
