Get off at Churchgate. Borrow a book.

For decades, I walked in and out of Churchgate Station on my way to work or a family outing. Through all those years, I almost always had a book with me. I read it on the train, often finishing a few chapters during the journey from Mumbai's northern suburbs to the city, and back again.

So you can imagine how I felt when I heard that Churchgate now had its own library. Right there, at the end of the station, at a spot I must have walked past thousands of times.
 
My wife and I decided to see it for ourselves, and came away impressed.  

Libraries of India Series #2

University Library of North Bengal

In November 2011, I started the Libraries of India series with the over a century old National Library of Kolkata in the East Indian state of West Bengal. For some inexplicable reason, I didn't continue the series. I have now decided to revive it with a brief look at the University Library of the University of North Bengal located near Siliguri in the picturesque district of Darjeeling in West Bengal. Darjeeling is famous for its tea.

 
Founded in 1962, the University Library has a vast and an impressive collection of books, reports and periodicals from all branches of Science, Arts, Commerce, and Management. The 2.35-lakh odd literary works include more than 1.80-lakh academic books, 36,000 bound periodicals, and over 600 rare books apart from reference books, theses, census, manuscripts, and gazettes.

 
Most university libraries in India owe their existence to the British who were mainly responsible for introducing and imparting English education as well as building grand edifices of learning that are heritage structures today.

Photos: University of North Bengal