If you’re flying in and out of Bhubaneswar Airport, then you must certainly stop by at Flybrary, India’s first ‘take a book’ airport library. Odisha’s Biju Patnaik International (BBI) Airport’s new delight or bibliophiles and weary and bored travellers, not just halt at reading. It lets them take a souvenir from their trip, a book, which they can return on their next visit to the Bhubaneswar Airport.
At Flybrary, Read & Take Home A Book As Souvenir
An initiative of Bakul Foundation and the Airports Authority of India, the Flybrary at Bhubaneswar Airport is what every bibliophilic traveller could have wished for. After all, the best place to catch up on books uninterrupted is during one’s travels. Bakul Foundation is renowned for its library movement in Odisha that runs on the bedrock of its volunteers who work tirelessly to instil the habit of reading among adults and especially children.
As part of this telos, Bakul has been establishing tiny libraries in public places like bus stations, cafes, museums, parks and now at Bhubaneswar Airport. The Flybrary at the airport has two shelves, one each at departures and at arrivals. Travellers can pick a book of their choice for absolutely free of cost, read it and return it to the shelf. If they want, they can even take the book home. For free!
Bhubaneswar Airport Has Turned Into A Haven For Bibliophiles
In fact, the books adorning the shelves of Flybrary are all donated by readers to Bakul Foundation. Debasis Patnaik of Vibe Furniture has gifted the racks to the organisation. Flybrary itself represents a heartfelt initiative of citizens who through the acts of small contribution wish to unravel a world of curiosity, knowledge and fun to its young readers.
Fklybrary at Bhubaneswar Airport has over 600 books including self-help guides, children’s literature in English, Hindi and Odia, magazines, novels and more. The idea of an airport library is what would certainly leave travellers ecstatic. The chance to leave one’s devices aside, and pass time while waiting for boarding with a good read in hand is memorable.
In fact, some of my most cherished reading moments have all been on flights and at airports. What about you?
Cover Image Courtesy: @BakulFoundation/ X