I purposely omitted this part from yesterday’s post for two good reasons; firstly, it was making the post too lengthy and secondly, I found it disoriented from the blog theme.
But after reading Atoorva’s comment I decided to post it today.So let me continue right away from where I cropped it –
But after reading Atoorva’s comment I decided to post it today.So let me continue right away from where I cropped it –
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I indulged in extensive reading not prior to year 2006.Earlier my reading was confined to magazines and newspaper only. I was never deprived of books and libraries in India either but somehow never developed any keen reading interest.
In school, right from sixth grade onwards we had a weekly library period. I remember issuing books by Enid Blyton, PG Wodehouse, Nancy Drew series and Mills and Boon, but seldom read. Here I would like to mention my ever sincere elder sister, she read all library books from cover to cover and even remember her exchanging books with friends and neighbors. Who inspired her? I think it is the basic instinct.
The university I attended had a huge central library, apart from several small departmental libraries. Back then I presume college libraries were meant for learned professors and studious research scholars, purchased text books sufficed for under graduates like me. My hometown also swank a public library in an old colonial era building, yet to be visited, someday definitely, now I am even more eager to visit any public library at the very first opportunity.
It is true library membership was not known to me during early growing years but we had one gentleman, panditji, who did brisk business of door to door, mobile library of magazines. He used to come on alternate days on a bicycle with two bags full of magazines, and lent two magazines at a time.
Newspaper reading was limited to local English daily namely, Northern India Patrika. The Times of India, Delhi edition used to come a day after, in those years (1980s) of slow communication.
During my three year stint in Delhi, I came across makeshift, pavement book lenders. They too have hoards of novel but my preference was always for magazines.
I indulged in extensive reading not prior to year 2006.Earlier my reading was confined to magazines and newspaper only. I was never deprived of books and libraries in India either but somehow never developed any keen reading interest.
In school, right from sixth grade onwards we had a weekly library period. I remember issuing books by Enid Blyton, PG Wodehouse, Nancy Drew series and Mills and Boon, but seldom read. Here I would like to mention my ever sincere elder sister, she read all library books from cover to cover and even remember her exchanging books with friends and neighbors. Who inspired her? I think it is the basic instinct.
The university I attended had a huge central library, apart from several small departmental libraries. Back then I presume college libraries were meant for learned professors and studious research scholars, purchased text books sufficed for under graduates like me. My hometown also swank a public library in an old colonial era building, yet to be visited, someday definitely, now I am even more eager to visit any public library at the very first opportunity.
It is true library membership was not known to me during early growing years but we had one gentleman, panditji, who did brisk business of door to door, mobile library of magazines. He used to come on alternate days on a bicycle with two bags full of magazines, and lent two magazines at a time.
Newspaper reading was limited to local English daily namely, Northern India Patrika. The Times of India, Delhi edition used to come a day after, in those years (1980s) of slow communication.
During my three year stint in Delhi, I came across makeshift, pavement book lenders. They too have hoards of novel but my preference was always for magazines.
***
Abruptly ends here. I believe, a fine prologue to yesterday's post.
