In 1992, a door opened in Kolkata to a room with murals on its walls, dolphins painted on its ceiling, a stage for performances, chairs and tables in rainbow colors, hundreds of books, magazines, puzzles and toys. Curious street children peeked in. Used to dirty back alleys of Park Street, they saw a series of queer alleyways, between shelves lined with books that invited them to come in and explore.
Since that day ie February 26th,1992 the Apeejay Anand Children’s Library set up in loving memory of Anand Paul [1972-1989], became the safe haven that protected their reveries, gave flight to what they had thought, were just fanciful day dreams. Conceptualized as a visually exciting and happy space that draws kids in, Apeejay Anand Children’s Library, has over the years, become a stimulating learning stations.
The mission of the Anand Library grows in more ways than one. Apeejay Trust is directly collaborating with NGOs in other cities who care for urban and poor children. In Delhi - NCR at a 24 hours shelter home for Boys, a 24 hours shelter home for girls run by Salaam Baalak Trust in Gurugram, a 24 hour shelter home for boys in Ghaziabad and at a 24 hour shelter home for girls in Najafgarh run by Salaam Baalak Trust. In Kolkata’s Khidirpur Docks in a Shelter Home run by ApneAap and in Chandigarh at a Shelter Home run by Vatsal Chaya Trust.
Apeejay Anand Children’s Libraries in Salt Lake and Park Street, Kolkata serve as a unique Education Support Program that helps Apeejay Education Trust, under which Apeejay Schools are run, to identify and sponsor education of talented children from underprivileged backgrounds who seek this safe haven. To know more please click here - Anand Library Scholarships
In 2020, Apeejay Anand Children's Library has teamed up the West Bengal Transport Corporation for the THE KOLKATA YOUNG READERS' TRAMCAR. This first ever children's tram library is also the first in the world of its kind, giving access to children across age groups and segments to pick and read their favourite book while on the move. The beautiful library on wheels decorated with attractive artworks of children reading, hand painted by local artists housing books across genres for young readers adorning its shelves rolled on its first trip to encourage and inspire children to read and experience the joy of reading. The WBTC that runs the only existing tramway in India is running this unique tramcar in collaboration with the Apeejay Anand Children's Library team.
With making literature available to one and all as the driving focus this year Oxford Bookstores has curated the selection of titles and literature across various young reading age groups for the Kolkata Young Reader's Tram Car. Yearlong activities for children on board the tramcar, such as story telling dramatized readings, poetry sessions, book launches, music and more are also on the cards, to captivate young minds.
The Kolkata Young Readers' Tram Car was launched virtually by Mr. Rajanvir Singh Kapur, MD, West Bengal Transport Corporation and Ms. Priti Paul , Director Apeejay Surrendra Group on 14th November 2020.
To visit, To donate or To partner with Apeejay Anand Children's Library, , please click here- Support Anand Libraries.
