30,000 books in the Village of Books; 1.5 lakh book lovers visited the place!
Mumbai, 6/9/2019: Bhilar village of Satara district aka first Indian ‘Village of Books’ has been visited by more than one and a half lakh book-lovers in the last two years. This village holds the treasure of more than 30 thousand books open for book lover tourists.
Recently the decision was taken to turn the initiative- ‘Village of Books’ in a regularized project to preserve reading culture. Book lover tourists will get more facilities here.
The initiative ‘Village of Books’ has started from 4th May 2017 in Bhilar. 13 literary events have been organized in this village till now. Classic English books are available at this place. On the villagers’ demand, 10 book houses are newly included in this project in last two years.
‘Village of Books’ is a perfect example of Government initiative and public-participation. House-owners, Gram Panchayat, and school management have provided spaces to keep books, without charging any cost. Books of various genres are made available at 35 places like family-occupied homes, schools, and temples.
This first Indian village of books is developed on the model of ‘Hay-on-Wye’ in England. Tourists visiting this place can read any book free of cost.
