A day before the 132nd birth anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Dhammabandu Sawane is busy giving the final touches to his makeshift bookstore outside the office of the district collector’s office in Pune. Since 1991, without fail, Sawane has set up his bookstore outside this office every year, a day before April 14. “By the end of April 14 every year, almost 90 per cent of the books on display are sold out. This year, I have invested around Rs 2 lakh and by 6 pm tomorrow, the stock will be sold out, ” he said.
On Dr Ambedkar’s birth anniversary, the area around the statue of Dr Ambedkar becomes the site of festivities. Political parties and social organisations vie with each other to make their presence felt with large billboards and banners. Social organisations also set up stalls to provide water and cater to the lakhs who come to pay their respects to the leader.
Every year, lakhs of visitors from Pune city and rural parts of the district throng to this location — and one of their stops would be the bookstores set up with permission from the civic body.
Books on Indian Constitution, the complete works of Dr Ambedkar, about Dhamma and teachings of the Buddha are some of the subjects which stores like that of Sawane sell. On an average, 25 such bookstores are set up along footpaths leading to the statue of Dr Ambedkar. Most of them start their business a day in advance and like Sawane wind up by the end of April 14.
Anish Tore, professor of political science in Symbiosis University, said the popularity of these stalls stems from Ambedkar’s call for people to “educate, organize and agitate”. “These bookstores and the brisk business they do is a sign that Dr Ambedkar’s emphasis on education still resonates. Also, these stalls offer quality publication at economical prices-one more reason for why they report good business,” he said.
On Ambekar’s birth anniversary, the Government Printing Press located a stone’s throw away from the venue is kept open with a 20 per cent discount offered on publications. On such days, the government press also reports sales of around Rs 70,000-80,000.
Outside, there are many like Sawane. When Balu Raut (46) is not selling books, he is employed as a chef in a restaurant in Mumbai. Raut, who originally hails from the Bhokardhan taluka of Jalana district, said he had to migrate to Mumbai to eke out a living. From January to June, Raut travels to Pune on occasions like the birth anniversary of Ambedkar to set up temporary book stalls.
Raut sources his books from publishers in Nagpur, Pune and Aurangabad and like Sawane, Raut also confirms that books on Indian Constitution, works of Dr Ambedkar and the teachings of the Buddha sell fast. “The price range of the books is from Rs 10-Rs 500. Sales are brisk,” he said.
Raut and Sawane said this simple act of making books available for sales allows them to play a role in ensuring the message of Ambedkar and the Buddha is spread across the masses. “The buyers are from all walks of life and strata of society — there are some who buy out of curiosity while there are others who take advantage of the easy availability and discounted prices, “the sellers said.
Raut on his part admitted that he has not been able to read much of the works but he has ensured his son has received quality education. “Dr Ambedkar had made it possible for people like me to ensure their children are educated and have a better life,” he said.
