The decision taken by the Eastern Railway to close down the five-decade-old book stall on Serampore Platform 1 has come as a great shock to the local commuters and the intelligentsia.
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The decision taken by the Eastern Railway to close down the five-decade-old book stall on Serampore Platform 1 has come as a great shock to the local commuters and the intelligentsia.
The intellectuals and the well-read people of the society are nostalgic about the book stall, which they consider as a heritage of Serampore town. Many of them, from their school and college days have been flocking to the Jain Book Stall on Platform 1. Many of them have enjoyed free reading of books, newspaper journals, magazines and procured job oriented application forms and job -related competitive examination books from the shop. The book stall served as a daily halting spot for the people involved in literature, art and culture.
The present proprietor of the stall, Abhishek Jain said hundreds of book lovers, intellectuals and people from different cross-section of society on their return found time to go through the books, newspapers and journals and then initiated conversation with my father. Till today, the age-old tradition continues. They now interact with me. The relationship has developed into something more of a book stall owner and customer.
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Abhishek added that after fifty years, the railways has taken a decision not to renew the agreement with the book stall and instead replace it with a multipurpose outlet. “In such circumstances, I am helpless,” he said.
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