Kolkata gets world’s first children’s library on wheels

KEY STORY

• Kolkata: The city will see the first library for children on tram being launched today, to celebrate Children’s Day, commemorating India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s birthday.

• The tram would run on Shyambazar-Esplanade and Esplanade-Gariahat routes, spanning across north and south Kolkata, every day from morning to evening.  “The Oxford Bookstores has curated the selection of books.”

• The concept of transforming an AC tram into a moving children’s library is the first of its kind in the world, Kapur added.

• Maina Bhagat, director of the Oxford Bookstores, told  that the store has curated a unique selection of titles and literature for various young reading age groups for the tram library.

• She added that year-long activities for children onboard the tram, such as storytelling, dramatized readings, poetry sessions and book launches will be organised to captivate young minds.

• Children can enter the library without paying any money. Parents accompanying the kids would have to pay normal tram fares on the routes.

CONCLUSION

• Two months ago, the country’s first library on the tram was launched in the city with a variety of books including the ones required for competitive exams.

• The city has the only existing tram services in the country. The Kolkata Tramways have been operating for the last 147 years. The library on wheels has been decorated with attractive artworks of children reading, hand-painted by local artists.

• Priti Paul, director of Apeejay Surrendra Group said, “We believe that a library is essential to every child’s holistic development and knowledge and books are game changers enhancing the future of each child.