Books

Popular Libraries In India

In the era of smartphones and kindles, nothing can beat the nostalgia of reading a book in the library. Libraries are a second home to readers and there are many libraries out there that have thousands of books, manuscripts, and rare texts. Some of the libraries in India are known for their history, and amazing architecture. Here are some of the iconic libraries in India that you can visit.

The National Library Of India, Kolkata

The National Library of India is the largest in the country by volume. The library was established in the year 1836. This is one of the busiest libraries in India, it is spread over 30 acres and it houses almost 24 lakh books along with 86,000 maps and 3,200 manuscripts. The library was opened to the public on February 1st, 1953.

Timings: 9:30 AM-8 PM

Membership fee: Rs 200 for the book security, Rs 300 for rare books.

State Central Library, Hyderabad

The State Central Library in Hyderabad began in 1891 due to the efforts of Moulvi Syed Hussain Bilgrami. The library is one of the most imposing structures in the city and it was granted heritage status in 1998. The library is located close to the Salarjung Museum and is spread across an area of 72,447 sq yards. In this library, there is a collection of 5 lakh books, 17,000 rare books, and valuable manuscripts.

Timings: 8 AM-8 PM. Membership fee: Rs 150/-

Delhi Public Library, Delhi

Delhi Public Library was started as a UNESCO project in 1951 by the Government of India. It is one of the most visited libraries in the country and it has a collection of 18 lakh books in various languages. There is also a separate section for Braille. The library has 37 branches across the state and it provides training facilities to both student librarians and social education workers.

Timings: 10 AM-5 PM. Membership fee: Rs 25/- to 100/- yearly.

Asiatic Society, Mumbai

The iconic building of the Asiatic Society was established in 1804 and was designed by taking inspiration from Greek and Roman architecture. The library was started by Sir James Mackintosh and it has a huge collection of 15,000 rare books. The place is known for holding the original copy of Dante’s Divine Comedy.

Timings: 10 AM- 6 PM. Membership fee: Rs 5,000/- yearly.

Anna Centenary Library, Chennai

Anna Centenary Library named after the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, C.N.Annadurai is one of the most popular libraries in the country. It was inaugurated on September 15th, 2010. The library was built with a budget of Rs 172 crores. It is an air-conditioned library with a total of eight floors. The library has a huge collection of 5 lakh books, and there is also a separate section for blind people. It also has a huge conference hall that can facilitate 150 members.

Timings: 8 AM- 9 PM. Membership fee: Rs 100- 500/-

Raza Library, Rampur

Raza Library is one of the biggest libraries in India. It is a government-protected property, and it is located inside a palace. Established by Nawab Faizullah Khan, it contains rare works of calligraphy, historical documents, and 30,000 books. Along with the books, there are 17,000 rare manuscripts, 5,000 paintings, and 205 hand-written palm-leaf manuscripts.

Timings: 10 AM- 5 PM

Trivandrum Public Library, Kerala

Trivandrum Public Library also called State central library is one of the oldest libraries in India. The library was established in the year 1829 during the reign of his highness Sree Swathi Thirunal Maharaja of Travancore. It has various collections of literature in different languages, with a separate library for children. The library has a digital collection in a searchable format in English and Malayalam. The library is also conducting a certificate course in Library and Information Services.

Timings: 8 AM- 7:45 PM. Membership fee: Rs 400-1,500/-

Allahabad Public Library, Allahabad

The public library is located in Alfred park, and it is one of the biggest libraries in Uttar Pradesh. The library was established in 1864 and it was designed in Scottish baronial architecture. It has a huge collection of 1,25,000 books, 40 types of magazines, and other manuscripts.

Timings: 10 AM- 6 PM. Membership fees: Rs 1,400- 5,000/yearly.

Conclusion: These are some of the most popular libraries in India. The other popular libraries in India are Krishnadas Sharma Central Library in Goa, Seshadri Memorial Library in Bengaluru, and Connemara Public Library in Chennai. You can visit these amazing libraries and pick up some amazing books and old manuscripts.

October 26, 2022

Journeys of success

Intro: Looking for a new book to read and be inspired by? We have compiled a list of some of the most inspiring and motivational stories of some of the most well-known entrepreneurs and businesspeople. What are you waiting for, add them to your reading list now! 1. Dream With Your Eyes Open by Ronnie Screwvala The founder of UTV, Ronnie Screwvala, describes his fascinating entrepreneurial journey and how he created his entertainment conglomerate. For aspiring business owners and business students, this biography is frequently suggested as a must-read. With over 20 years of experience, the author teaches you how to think big, cultivate ambitions, and learn from mistakes. Get motivated by the example of the entertainment mogul who, even in his early years, displayed entrepreneurial spirit by coming up with novel ideas like selling balcony seats that provided a view of movie stars attending premieres at the theatre next to his home. Get a glimpse into the entrepreneur’s life from his reminiscence. Pages: 208Price: Rs 500 2. NR Narayana Murthy – a biography by Ritu Singh The founder of Infosys and inspirational businessman from India, NR Narayana Murthy, is the subject of this book. This is the story of a man’s faith in his ideology and quiet resolve. In addition to his inspirational journey, this book is filled with values that are uncommon in the business world: diligence, justice, fairness, decency, honesty, openness, striving for excellence, and belief in meritocracy. Since Narayana Murthy and Infosys go hand in hand, one can anticipate a grand journey of the unassuming but brilliant man as he established his empire of Infosys and his supporters. Pages: 154 pages Price: Rs 250 3. Dhirubhai Ambani: Against All Odds by A G Krishnamurthy. A life as grand as it is paved with difficulties: Dhirubhai Ambani.

Books

New Book Launches of 2024: A Must-Read List For Every Book Lover.

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Books

Indian Authors: Essential Reads for Children and Adults

India boasts a rich tapestry of stories that reflect its diverse culture, history, and imagination. Whether you are seeking enchanting tales for children or profound literary works for adults, Indian authors offer many choices. Dhanush Kumar lists four outstanding kids’ books and four remarkable literary novels by Indian authors that will captivate readers of all ages. Top Indian Authors Books 1. Malgudi Days by R.K.Narayan R.K. Narayan’s Malgudi Days is a collection of short stories set in the fictional town of Malgudi. The charming and humorous tales of ordinary people living in this quaint town delight young readers. With its straightforward language and engaging narratives, this book is perfect for introducing children to the magic of Indian storytelling. 2. The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling Though Rudyard Kipling was born in India and is often associated with British literature, The Jungle Book has deep Indian roots. The timeless classic follows the adventures of Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves in the jungles of India. This book is thrilling for children and is filled with memorable characters like Baloo the bear and Bagheera, the panther. 3. The Grandmother’s Tale by Sudha Murthy Sudha Murthy’s The Grandmother’s Tale is a captivating story that weaves traditional Indian values with a modern narrative. It follows the life of a young girl who learns about her grandmother’s adventurous past. Murthy’s storytelling is heart-warming and relatable, making it a perfect read for children. 4. The Blue Umbrella by Ruskin Bond Ruskin Bond’s The Blue Umbrella is a heart-warming story set in a small village in Himachal Pradesh. The Protagonist, Binya, exchanges her lucky leopard’s claws for a beautiful blue umbrella. The umbrella soon becomes the talk of the town, leading to jealousy and eventual theft. This charming tale teaches children about kindness, forgiveness, and the simple

Books

Explore Timeless Treasures: Top 10 Best Books of All Time

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