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Metro Rides Transform into Literary Journeys
11 Apr
Summary
- Books are left behind in metro coaches for others to read.
- The initiative encourages reading and sharing physical books.
- Volunteer 'book fairies' discreetly place books daily.
A decade-old initiative, Books on the Delhi Metro (BODM), has turned ordinary commutes into a vibrant reading culture. The concept involves passengers leaving books in metro coaches or at stations for others to find, read, and pass on. This self-sustaining movement, inspired by global book-sharing efforts, relies on the trust and goodwill of its participants.
Shruti Sharma founded BODM in 2017 after being inspired by similar projects abroad. Volunteers, called 'book fairies,' place a 'book of the day' daily after security checks, carefully selecting genres to avoid controversy. While an estimated 20-30% of books find new readers, the community remains active with requests and shared experiences.
Similar initiatives have emerged, such as 'Books on Mumbai Metro' (BOMM), started in 2023 by Namrata. BOMM uses playful approaches, like timing children's book drops around noon and matching horror stories with atmospheric locations. BOMM also aims to promote Indian language titles in underserved areas.
Despite the prevalence of OTT platforms and digital content, these book-sharing movements emphasize the unique joy of physical books and their affordability. They aim to bridge accessibility gaps and ensure books reach a wider audience, proving that analog hobbies continue to hold significant appeal.
