One magical year of Books On The Delhi Metro

Aashna- “Hey, someone please be online, I am going to drop off my book in few minutes”

Shruti- “I am right here. :)”

Aashna- “Thank you. I have butterflies in my tummy”

Krati- “Hahaha. Relax. You will be fine. We get the same feeling while dropping.”

Aashna- “Okay. I am done. Nobody seems to be looking at it. I think I was too sneaky”

Kaushal- “You can put it anywhere and chances are you would feel the same way”

Isheita- “They’ll notice, don’t worry”

Aashna- “Haha, I think I am gonna miss my class. Can’t-miss the book getting picked. Sorry for being so paranoid, I am just amazed and excited at the same time.”

Everyone– “You are not alone. We all are like that”

*after a few moments*

Aashna- “Someone looked at it and left without picking. What is wrong with people?”

Krati- “Happens to me all the time. Sad life.”

Aashna- “Another person looked at it and left. Evil people. :(“

Kaushal- “Why the hell people are scared of books. That too free books?”

Ujjwal- “Is okay, Aashna! First drops do feel like this. I had a heavy heart leaving book just like that in my first book drop”

Aashna- “Thank you for the encouragement guys. But I think I’ll stay a bit longer”

Ishieta- “I waited for 50 minutes for my first book to get picked! Worth it. *if it makes you feel any better*

Sunny- “45 minutes.”

Krati- “I waited for an hour.”

Aashna- “Thanks guys”

*an hour later*

Daksha- “The question is, Aashna, did it get picked?”

You don’t want me to answer that question, do you?

Well the point of revealing the real conversations that often happen in our Whatsapp group was intentional. I will reveal that later in my post. So don’t skip reading yet.

First thing firsts- We just turned ONE! *shrieks, jumps on the bed, hugs Tarun virtually*

I dropped my first book as a Book Fairy on 22nd May 2017 and today, Books On The Delhi Metro has completed one functional year of spreading joy on Delhi rails.

Surreal. Dreamlike.

My friends often ask me- “How is Books On The Delhi Metro going?” I tell them it’s going great. I have the best people with me and we are one big bookshelf spread all over Delhi, just waiting for people to come and pick the books.

What I don’t tell them is this-

My fairies had to stand for an hour waiting at the metro station because no one was interested in reading a book. Duh! We love our smartphones.

My fairies just got thrashed by the metro staff for being a ‘threat’ to the security. Take this book with you, else I will throw it in dustbin.

My fairies had to explain at length about the initiative to prove themselves innocent. Sir, this is an initiative aimed to promote reading among people.

My fairies reached late to their office/exam because they really wanted to see the person who would be lucky to find a book on their commute. I really want to make someone smile today.

Instead, I paint a picture where we are just happy.

Happy that people of Delhi have accepted us

Happy that people are running/searching for books.

Happy that we hear so many appreciations over Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.

Happy that we are the reason for someone’s smile. A bookish smile.

Over a period of time, we have met so many people who have told us about their lost love for books. How the daily grind has pushed the books out of their life. They tell us stories about their Nandan, Champak days.

And, it just makes my heart flinch in pain. But, the very next moment my chest swells with pride. Maybe, they’ll start reading again with this book.

Maybe, they just needed a spark.

Wishful thinking, I know. But that’s how I am. Abundantly optimistic.

And a babbler!

So, yeah, I was saying, I paint a happy picture for everyone.

You know why?

Because I know books can change your life. Books can breathe air into your suffocated mind. Books can take you on a thousand journeys; a journey into the mind of the author, to faraway places. Books can be your friends, your soulmate, your travel guide, your cooking partner, your secret lover…damn! the list is just endless!

Books are Magical.

And I wouldn’t let anyone or anything come in between you and your magic.

Trust me, I speak to all of you. I don’t know you but I feel you. I feel that person inside you who is waiting for a magical moment in their life to set everything straight.

That moment; is vested in a book.

And my fairies and I, we’ll not stop before you start feeling that magic in books.

And that’s my request to all of you- lose yourselves in books. Start reading. Fill up and live. You’ll find every solution when you read.

And next time you find a book on Delhi Metro, don’t hesitate to pick it up.

You don’t think I would wrap it up soon? Come on! We just completed one year, I have my plate full of things to talk about.

If the above ramblings looked like I am complaining about the hard work that we fairies do, then I am sorry. I didn’t mean to say that. We are more than happy to do that for you.

Now-

To my fairies,

I love you.

I love all of you.

Thank you is a small word for what you have done for me. Being with you on this journey has made me a better person. And you know what’s the most amazing part- Seeing your Instagram stories when you are hanging out as friends on a weekend.

You know why?

Because it means that if someday everything else falls apart, I‘ll be happy that I could bring you guys together, I’ll be happy that I managed to create a place where people have real human connections. And I did it with the thing I treasure most- Books.

And trust me, it means a lot to me.

So, THANK YOU. And HUGS. And KISSES.

And we are still not done!

I know what you’d say- You’re such a pain! I promise this one is last.

To dear Authors/Publishers/Contributors,

Trust me when I say this- it wouldn’t have been possible without you. I remember the first thought that came in my mind when I was planning for this initiative. Will Indian authors/publishers support me? Will they help us? Would they be able to do it without any ulterior motives? How will I manage if they say no to this stupid initiative?

I had my apprehensions.

And you shattered all of them.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. ❤

Thank you for believing in me.

Thank you for giving Delhi a chance.

I hope we bring the change.

To Delhi,

Thank you for such an overwhelming response. May we grow stronger and better each day.

Originally published at booksonthedelhimetro.wordpress.com on May 21, 2018.