English
English
English
Kerala is turning the page with a thoughtful new initiative aimed at reviving the culture of reading. Free libraries, titled “Pustaka Koodu” (meaning “book nest”), are being set up at bus stands operated by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).
Kerala launches ‘Pustaka Koodu’ free libraries at bus stands
New Delhi: There was a time when railway platforms and bus stands across India housed bustling bookstalls, where travelers picked up novels and magazines to accompany them on their journeys. Over the years, however, smartphones replaced paperbacks, and scrolling through screens became the new travel companion.
Now, Kerala is turning the page with a thoughtful new initiative aimed at reviving the culture of reading. Free libraries, titled “Pustaka Koodu” (meaning “book nest”), are being set up at bus stands operated by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).
A Library at Every Bus Stand
The initiative is being spearheaded by Vayanashala, a cultural wing of KSRTC, with the goal of encouraging commuters to swap screen time for reading time. Travelers can freely access books while waiting for their buses, creating an enriching alternative to mobile entertainment.
The first “Pustaka Koodu” was inaugurated in Coonoor with a collection of 250 books. Plans are already underway to expand the initiative to KSRTC depots in Kasargod, Payyanur, Thodupuzha, Parasala, and Cherthala.
Inspired by Kerala’s First Book Village
The concept draws inspiration from Kerala’s first book village established in Perumkulam, which celebrates literature and community reading. By bringing books directly to public transport hubs, authorities hope to nurture a renewed love for reading among people of all ages.
With “Pustaka Koodu,” Kerala is not just opening libraries—it is reopening doors to imagination, reflection, and the simple joy of reading.
