The book wall

Many generous Delhiites are bringing in their books to build a collection that would then be used to bring street children into the world of words

The Book Wall is receiving great response from Delhiites. People from all walks of life — students, engineers, doctors, and housewives — are generously bringing in their old books to help educate thousands of uneducated children who cannot afford to go to schools.

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A partnership between Hindustan Times and Aviva’s Street to School program, the project got a thumbs-up from Miss India 2005 contestant-turned-investment banker-turned-author Ira Trivedi. Donating a few of her books, Ira said, “This is a fantastic idea. It is a good way to make a difference to the lives of street children.” Trivedi, who has earlier donated around 100 books of her 10-year-old brother to a children’s library, added, “Books have a tendency to accumulate. They must be passed on or else they grow useless.”

While the Book Wall comes up at the Ansal Plaza, donation boxes have also been placed at around 300 schools for students to give away their books that will be collected and added to the Book Wall everyday. On Monday, the books will be handed over to the NGO, Save the Children. While parting with her books, Trivedi said, “Books never grow old, never lose their value and I hope each of these books will mean something to the life of the children who would read them.”