Wheeler ‘n commotion

AH Wheeler passed into the hands of the Banerjees of Allahabad in 1937, the first Indians to get ownership from British proprietors, says Amit Banerjee, the fourth-generation director of the company. Yadav’s decision to end their monopoly will have little effect, says Banerjee but employees fear for the worst.

‘‘We are not sure what lies in store for our future,’’ says the peon inside the company’s no longer used reception room. A wooden replica of the ‘‘first shop AH Wheeler owned on an Indian railway station’’ occupies a corner of the room, while on the wall opposite the entrance hangs a photograph of A.H. Wheeler who came up with the idea of selling books at stations.

‘‘Though A.H. Wheeler pioneered the idea, it was the concept of our forefathers to spread the network in the country. Today, we are selling books, magazines and newspapers of 600-odd publishers in 14 railway zones,’’ says Banerjee.

The company has not received communication of discontinuation of its services so far. The owners say they will decide on the next course of action only after the Railway Ministry approaches them. The lights are out at the headquarters, though.