Like other students of his age, for MD college student Sanjay Pawar, the last few days before the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exam are of crucial importance. But unlike most other students who can study in the comforts of their homes, Sanjay finds it practically impossible to concentrate in his ten feet by ten feet room in the slum area adjoining Banganga Tank.

Taking cognizance of the need for a study room for students like Sanjay, the 28-year-old Malabar Hill Kala Krida Kendra has recently started a free reading library. The library that opened less than a month ago has already managed to get over 500 members mostly comprising Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and HSC students.

Nitin Thackeray, manager of the Kendra elaborates, “A lot of needy students have no place to read and study. It is very important for students preparing for SSC, HSC and other competitive exams to have a study room for serious concentration. It was with this intention that we started the library.”

“The peaceful atmosphere here is conducive to concentrating on studies. I usually spend at least three to fours at a stretch and come twice a day whenever possible,” says Sanjay.

From students preparing for CA exams to surgeons opting for higher studies, the library attracts students from as far as Dadar and Girgaum apart from the nearby Malabar Hill, Walkeshwar and Banganga areas.

While the Kendra’s focus was students of poor families, the library has a significant number of members from the elite housing societies of Malabar Hill and Breach Candy too. “Initially, we were quite surprised to get membership queries from the upper class residents of these areas. We tend to assume that people like these, many of whom own large apartments, cars and all the other comforts, have no dearth of place for activities like reading and studying. However, some still prefer to come to our study room,” said Thackeray referring to members coming in chauffeur driven cars and stopping by the modest Kendra library. “They always complain that despite having enough space at home, the kind of peace you get here cannot be found at home with guests coming over, television, etc,” added Thackeray.

The Kendra also gives scholarships and donates textbooks, exercise books and other educational materials to support deserving students every year. Meanwhile, the Kendra also plans to buy and stock books for entrance exams in its library to make them freely available for reference.