Kolkata’s Oldest Bookshop Launches Free Library at College Street

Quick Summary

• Historic Bookshop Initiative: Dasgupta and co., Kolkata’s oldest surviving bookshop as 1886, has opened a free reading library at its College Street premises to benefit students unable to purchase books.
• Visitor Engagement: the library attracts 30-40 daily visitors, including international guests such as UNESCO officials.
• Heritage Meaning: The shop enjoys Grade IIA heritage status and draws around 400 customers daily, primarily for academic titles.
• Founder Background: Established by Girish Chandra Dasgupta from Jessore (present-day Bangladesh), emphasizing literacy and education in the region.
• Rare Book Collection & Donations: Includes rare books donated by patrons; Nobel laureate amartya Sen praised the effort via video call.
• Future Plans: An online library project sponsored by Union Bank of India is underway but delayed for three years. It aims to offer global book access with enhanced facilities like computers and air-conditioning.

indian Opinion Analysis

The establishment of a free public library within a historic institution like Dasgupta and Co. reflects commendable foresight in preserving educational accessibility amidst rising costs of education materials globally. This initiative not only supports students but also reinforces Kolkata’s reputation as India’s literary hub with global appeal, underlined by international visits including UNESCO representatives.

The proposed online library expansion could further democratize access to knowledge if institutional sponsorship materializes smoothly-a progressive step relevant in today’s digital-first learning landscape.

By weathering major historical upheavals over its century-long existence, Dasgupta and Co.’s adaptability stands out as both remarkable resilience and testament to the cultural value attached to literature in the Indian context-strengthening hopes for continued relevance despite challenges posed by digital commerce evolution.

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