Someone once rightly said, "All good things in the world come for free." The fifth edition of the ‘Pustaka Parishe’ (Book Mela), which will be held by an NGO called Srushti Ventures in association with the Kannada Book Authority, is testimony to the above statement.
Even if you are a toddler entering this Parishe, you will be entitled for a book without giving anything in return, which makes this event oneof- its-kind.
With the aim of giving an identity to all the books lost in the stacks, Srushti started 'Pustaka Parishe' in March 2010.
In order to reinvigorate the fast disappearing book culture, the National-Level Pustaka Parishe is being held for the fifth time wherein more than 10 lakh books (both Kannada and English) will be exhibited on a grand scale at Basavanagudi, and each participant will be eligible to take one book of his or her choice free, that too from a sea of books.
Nagaraj Navunda, one of the members of Srushti Ventures, says, "We hope that this event gives new life to books and spreads awareness on the importance of reading.
Last year, more than 1 lakh books were exhibited and more than 33,000 people took part and this time, we are expecting at least 1 lakh people.
There will absolutely no commercial activity taking place at the venue and no stalls would be put up by any publishers.
There will be absolutely no buying or selling.
" The stall would be put up by the Kannada Book Authority, Hampi University, Tumkur University, National Book Trust, Kendra Sahitya Academy, Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Department of Public Library and many newspaper organisations.
Even the BBMP is doing its bit as corporators from all 198 wards are voluntarily donating a minimum of 100 books for the event.
Next year, the NGO has plans to conduct a similar book fair throughout the state, owing to the demand from public and they want to donate 25,000 books to each district.
They also have a separate section for academic books, where students can come any day of the year and take upto 5 books free of cost.
Colleges like BMS, PESIT and other government colleges have been making use of this facility.
But where do they get these books from? "A lot of people and organisations come forward and donate their books, which would otherwise end up with a scrap dealer.
" However, they hope that corporates and people come forward and provide them financial assistance to be able to take this event to an international level.
Srushti Ventures has also been active in the social, cultural, literary, art and environmental fields for the last 25 years and has organised more than 1,600 programmes so far.
So, if you are visiting the 'Pustaka Parishe' this Sunday, you will also have stage performances and cultural activities to look forward to.
CM Jagdish Shettar and Deputy CM R Ashoka are expected to inaugurate the event, which for sure would be a bibliographical paradise.
Those who want to donate used and old books to the Parishe can drop them at Srusthi Ventures, 81, East Anjaneya Road, Basavanagudi.
For more information about the books, contact 9945003479/ 9900204748.