Mobile library celebrates 25 years

Shyam Agarwal's teenage hobby is paying dividends, having served book lovers of Indore for 25 years. Ritesh Mishra reports.

Updated on: Dec 15, 2012, 01:13:56 IST

Hindustan Times | By Ritesh Mishra, Indore

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Shyam Agarwal's teenage hobby is paying dividends, having served book lovers of Indore for 25 years.

Agarwal's mobile library on wheels, Shyam Library and Suvidha Agency, delivers books, comics and also competitive examination magazines to thousands of readers across the city.

The venture that started with six novels and some magazines bought from a bus stand for R100 in 1987 today pays Agarwal "more than R1 lakh per month".

The library on wheels now has 5,000 members including the first 10 who helped shape a 15-year-old's dreams. Now 40, Agarwal, a commerce graduate, has moved on from a cycle to a scooter.

"I have hired four persons to distribute the books," he said. Agarwal got the idea for his unique library after seeing people approach his brother, a newspaper agent, for free delivery of books and magazines.

The library's monthly membership fee has gone up from the initial R25 to R350.

Business has thrived, but Agarwal believes it will be tough for others to emulate him.

"Today, everything is available on the internet."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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