Bhubaneswar: The phrase “To Read is to fly,” displayed on a bookshelf at Bhubaneswar Airport, perfectly encapsulates the essence of a unique initiative aimed at celebrating the power of reading and fostering reading habits.
Welcome to the FLYBRARY at Bhubaneswar Airport, an initiative of Bakul Foundation in partnership with the Airports Authority of India. Passengers flying through Bhubaneswar Airport can browse through books at the Airport, and take it with them if they like the book and want to finish reading it. They can return it on their next visit to the Airport.
This is a first of its kind initiative in India, where passengers can take away books to read for free without having to submit anything. There are other Airports in India now that have set up libraries in the last few years such as Varanasi, Pune and Bangalore (in their Lounge) but none of them allow books to be taken.
There are 2 shelves, one each at DEPARTURE and at ARRIVALS. One can pick up a book of one’s choice, read and return it at the shelf there. Or One can also take the book with oneself. One can return the books at the Flybrary Shelves at the Bhubaneswar airport or send them to Bakul Foundation. One can also gift one’s books to Bakul for the Flybrary initiative or the Library Movement in general for the libraries Bakul is setting up across Odisha.
There are books in English, Hindi and Odia though most of the books are in English. There are more Hindi books in Arrivals and more Odia books in Departure as Odias, particularly senior citizens traveling from Odisha might want to read an Odia book while senior citizens visiting Odisha might prefer a Hindi book. There are coffee table books, magazines like National Geographic, novels, self help and motivation and children’s books.
Sujit Mahapatra, the founder of Bakul Foundation, said that, “We have tried out similar experiments at open unmanned libraries with a Little Tree Library in Forest Park, which was later replicated at Anandaban, the urban forest in Bhubaneswar, and we also have a Library in a Fridge at Ekamra Haat, and have been setting up libraries in public spaces, where people can pick up a book just to kill time, and maybe develop a love for books in the process.”
The idea of setting it up at the Airport was always there for many years, he said. When the Pravasi Bharatiya Dibas happened, Mahapatra proposed to Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Commerce and Transport that it would be great to start such a library, which would not only promote reading, but also create a very positive image of Odisha in the minds of visitors. With her facilitation, the library was set up at the Bhubaneswar airport. Seeing the response, the Airport Director, Prasanna Pradhan and his colleagues felt that the library should continue.
Every day, a Bakul volunteer has been visiting for an hour to take stock of books, to rearrange the shelves and restock them as the shelves are getting emptied every day. It is becoming a big challenge though Mahapatra is happy that people are reading the books and loving the idea. He is, however, confident that after a few months, they may not have to restock the shelves as people will start giving books at the airport itself. He requested all passengers, who know about the Flybrary to carry books to give at the Airport Shelves so that it can be refilled organically. He is hopeful that authors and publishers will also leave their books at the airport for others to read.
Mahapatra pointed out that Bakul has set up more than 25 libraries including this FLYBRARY entirely with book donations. The racks are a gift from Debasis Patnaik of Vibe Furniture, and the Flybrary truly represents a citizens’ initiative and demonstrates the power of small contributions, which is the mission of BAKUL.
The response of passengers has been overwhelming. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General, IMD was pleasantly surprised at discovering the library on his arrival at Bhubaneswar airport. He picked up the book, “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie because he felt that was the toughest thing, and he needed some tips on that. He was glad that he could return it at the bookshelf at Departure, when he returned to the airport.
Usha Padhee, the Principal Secretary, Commerce and Transport, said, “Amazing Concept. Lovely collection of books. Will make sure to leave some of mine to contribute to this beautiful effort.”
TESTIMONIALS OF TRAVELLERS
Divya, who was traveling from Bangalore to Delhi and had to land in Bhubaneswar for some issues, had 4 hours before her flight to Delhi. She was a little frustrated till she found the Flybrary. She said, “it was the best thing that could have happened to her.”
Munu Manjari from Sangli said that she had 3 hours at the airport and she was really happy that she would be reading her 1st novel in English, Chetan Bhagat’s “The 3 Mistakes of my Life”. She had wanted to start reading in English for a long time, but had not made the effort.
Dr Debabrata Biswas, a scientist at the Institute of Life Sciences in Bhubaneswar said “it’s a great and excellent initiative for book lovers like me. I was really taken aback when I stopped there and saw this and all these books. I have taken a book, and I will definitely contribute to this.
Dr Surendranath Senapati of Acharya Harihar Cancer Institute said that he was very happy to see books for children in the Library. That way, we could educate children and keep them engaged in the airport, and stimulate them intellectually. He said he would like to donate books.
Susmita from Kolkata, who was returning from Bhubaneswar from an official trip, was very happy to stumble upon the library, she said. She added that “it was a great way of inculcating the love of reading, and for people like her, who hoard books; it was a great way of giving it back to the society.”
Sukanto Sanyal from Kolkata said that he is a frequent flier but he had not seen this kind of initiative anywhere, and was very happy and impressed. He found it “an absolute treasure trove”. He would also try to give some books so that others can read, he said. He added, “This is a really noble initiative. I am just freaking out. I must have spent more than 45 mins over here.” He picked up a Ruskin Bond book, “The Angry River” and carried it with him on his flight.
Abhijit Joshi, a senior journalist from Maharashtra said that” When I entered the airport, I saw the library by Bakul and I was very impressed. I have gone to many cities across India and the world, and I have never seen anything like this kind of initiative from book lovers to other book lovers. I wish these kinds of facilities are set up in other cities also. His wife added, “Odisha airport has inspired us, and wherever we go, we will try to meet the airport authorities and tell them that they should have something like this.”
Gaurang Kalra, a 15-Year-old from Delhi said that “this encourages the passengers to read more and educate themselves…. I recommend the Government to implement this everywhere.”
