No takers for cricket literature…..Devendra Pandey
Despite holding a number of precious books on cricket history, the HD Kanga library fails to attract too many readers
Despite holding a number of precious books on cricket history, the HD Kanga library fails to attract too many readers
Librarian Vijay Waghmare’s phone rings loudly at the Dr HD Kanga library located at Mumbai Cricket Associations (MCA) ground floor at the old office premises, shattering the routine silence of the place. The young man doesn’t hesitate to take the call, and spends the next few minutes winding up his conversation loudly. Working as a librarian, one could have expected Waghmare urging the library environment to be on silent mode but such has been the apathy towards MCA’s five-decade-old library that visitors rarely turn up, much like the sparse crowds for Ranji Trophy matches these days at Wankhede Stadium.
The richly stocked library which was introduced in 1946 to impart the best knowledge to cricketers and general public is now hoping for the younger breed of players to check in. There are many books which are unread for so many months and it doesn’t take too long for Waghmare, who is also an umpire, to start goading you to join the library, since barely anyone turns up. The library is looked after by MCA, who appoints a committee to look after its old heritage and ensure the work runs smoothly.
Soli Irani, who has worked in the MCA library for more than 40 years and has retired now, says, people walking in sometimes can be a pleasant surprise here. Cricketers, who pass by daily don’t even know what is next door and the young breed has locked themselves in the world of internet and mobiles.
No one comes here, look at the books here, these are priceless books, he shows pointing at Wisden Cricket books which have been there since its first edition in the 19th century. If you are passionate about cricket then this is the place to be in, he adds.
Irani is in his mid-60s and the old Parsi man remembers the days when many Mumbai cricketers would turn up for reading. The library has more than 1300 members till date, out of which maximum are old, and many members have passed away. Irani comes here often to ensure the place he devoted his time to for so long is running well. He explains that new members turn up occasionally and the registration of new members is at a very slow pace.
Never marketed well
Prof Ratnakar Shetty, MCA vice-president and BCCI chief administrative officer, feels the library was never marketed well despite hosting the best quality of books. This is the best library in India, but sadly many dont know. There are old books which you will find nowhere other than here. I think we should have marketed it well, many people don’t know there is a library here! Shetty said.
The last big celebrity cricketer the library witnessed walk in was Sunil Gavaskar – he was a regular to turn up to pick books. The young blood is not familiar with reading within closed walls, and will prefer to walk to the adjacent Marine Drive than coming to Wankhede. In the last decade, coffee shops have replaced libraries as the preferred reading place for most.
Gavaskar used to come and take books often, he was the last cricketer this library would have seen. With new technology and internet coming in, one can download books sitting at home. Library is a thing of the past now, Irani pointed out, who once was a managing committee member in MCA. The library timings are odd – it works from 5pm to 8pm – and Shetty feels it doesn’t suit many to come and read in the evening. Having been a professor himself of South Mumbai’s well known college Wilson, Shetty knows what libraries bring to people. He said, One more reason is the timing of the library which is such that you may not find many people using it. People prefer to go to the library in the morning or afternoon more. In the evening many want to take rest at home or meet people.
With Wankhede Stadium going in for a massive revamp, the old library will soon get a new lease of life. MCA will plan to allow school and colleges once the new building is constructed next to Garware Cub, Shetty feels proper planning will certainly see more members turning up.
We can give advts, let school and college students come up to use the library. We will surely think to revamp once we have the new building in place. The most important thing will be creating awareness the veteran administrator said.
Meanwhile. Waghmare wishes to see more people turning up, and sometimes it is plainly a pain to sit idle. His phone rings again and the librarian picks it up yakking loudly. Like most other days in his office Waghmare is waiting for the clock to reach eight oclock.