August 10th 2024.
Bhubaneswar's beloved Modern Book Depot, a cherished independent bookstore that has been a prominent landmark at Master Canteen Square for over five decades, is facing the threat of closure. The store's landlord served an eviction notice to the owners, leaving them with no choice but to shut down. This news has been met with great sadness by the diverse community of readers who have frequented the store over the years, including renowned writers, bureaucrats, politicians, journalists, and thinkers from not just Odisha but from other parts of the country as well.
The bookstore was first opened in 1970 by Dewan Chand, a Punjabi migrant, in a time when Bhubaneswar was a quiet town with a significant number of book enthusiasts. After Dewan Chand's passing, the responsibility of running the establishment fell on his son, Om Prakash. Now 75 years old, Om Prakash reminisces about his journey with the store, which began when he decided to forgo a career in the defense services to assist his father in running the Modern Book Depot in Kolkata. Later, the store expanded to Bhubaneswar, and Om Prakash has been a part of this family business since he was just 20 years old. His love for books has been the driving force behind his dedication to keeping the store running. The family also owns bookstores in Agra, Kolkata, Shillong, and Siliguri.
Over the years, the Modern Book Depot has been visited by many notable personalities, including former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who made a surprise stop at the store after a busy election campaign. Other former Chief Ministers, such as JB Patnaik, Biju Patnaik, and Giridhar Gamang, were also regular patrons. The store had the privilege of hosting Nobel laureate VS Naipaul and his wife Nadira during one of their visits. Additionally, famous chef and Indian food writer Tarla Dalal and Jnanpith award winner UR Anantamurthy have also graced the store with their presence.
Om Prakash proudly states that the Modern Book Depot has been an integral part of Bhubaneswar's history and growth. He considers it a heritage site for book lovers and laments the fact that the city does not have many bookstores that offer such a wide range of books. The closure of the store would mean the end of an old tradition that has been woven into the cultural and intellectual fabric of the Temple Town. It deeply saddens Om Prakash to think about shutting down the store as it would mean the end of a lifelong sacrifice. However, he has accepted that none of his family members share his passion for books and have no interest in continuing the business. For him, the store holds sentimental value as it was started by his father, and he wishes to keep it running for as long as he can.
The news of the Modern Book Depot's potential closure has sparked an outpouring of support from book lovers and netizens. They have taken to social media to share their fond memories and urge for the preservation of this establishment. One user, Tarani Trotter, wrote, "Save The Cultural Centre of Bhubaneswar! If you think of any non-academic bookstore in a Tier-II city like Bbsr, how many such standalone stores can come to your mind! I'm sure, it must be just a couple of such outlets with Modern Book Depot at Station Square leading the way." Another user, Rites Misra, shared, "Spent a major part of my childhood in this shop. Om Prakash of Modern Book Depot Bhubaneswar. He always has a varied collection of books. In recent times many bookstores in several parts of the country shut down. Let's hope that is not yet another one." The overwhelming response from the public shows just how much the Modern Book Depot means to the community and the impact it has had on their lives.
In conclusion, the potential closure of the Modern Book Depot is a significant loss for Bhubaneswar and its residents. It is not just a bookstore but a cultural hub that has been a part of the city's identity for over five decades. Let us hope that a solution can be found to save this iconic institution from fading away into the pages of history.
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