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The man at the far end of the street sells hot crispy pakodas,and the chai wallah whose long standing association with the street shows by the number of wrinkles on his face...

While the Appa Blawant Chowk,is a Mecca for book lovers,it has metamorphosed into a blessing for the booksellers too

The man at the far end of the street sells hot crispy pakodas,and the chai wallah whose long standing association with the street shows by the number of wrinkles on his face,smiles as tired book shoppers,and sellers wait for a cup of the cherished beverage and the spicy treat. The sacred smell of books grip you the moment you walk into the Appa Balwant Chowk. Carrying with it a history of 100 years,the Appa Balwant Chowk fondly called as ABC,has a story of its own. While you walk down the street trying to get your hands on the best bargain and the best buy,the fresh pandal and flowers catch your eye. Another look around and one can see a group of people,sipping tea talking seriously about something. The group is called the Shree Tambadi Jogeshwari Navin Juni Pustak Vikri Sanghatna a group that is committed to work for the welfare of the booksellers at the Appa Balwant Chowk. Designed to give benefits to those students who cant afford costly books,library system is the one most practiced policy formed by this group. Innovative schemes and explicit discounts crown the organisations existence.

We want to make sure that students are benefited,at the end of the day we exist for them. In our library system,we sell new books at 85 per cent cost for a year and the student can sell it back to us and get 60 per cent of their money back. Second hand books are sold at 70 per cent price and they can return it and get back 60 per cent of their money, says Vijay Amaso Maran,president.

While the group is progressively aimed at helping the students,it takes care that the needs of the sellers are considered too. Says Sunil Jalendre,member,I have always felt that the sanghtna takes care of everyone who is on the street and into the bookselling business,We even come together on celebrations and festivals. The group in fact has always been active,making sure that no one is left out.

Its interesting to note that while a lot of these booksellers are young and just into the business,stories of successes and rewards are not uncommon. Rishikesh Danekar,a bookseller who has a small kiosk on the street,has been working and studying since long. He will complete his MBA this year, shares Maran. It seems like the spirit of learning has transcended into them too through the books. One of us named Sunil Roti used to put a stall here. Today,he teaches yoga and has also completed his graduation, shares a smiling Maran.

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