Tea seller in Patuakhali builds a library inside his shop, with more than 300 books
A cup of tea in one hand and a book in the other — that is now a common sight at a tea shop in Patuakhali. To draw young people away from drugs and mobile phone addiction and towards reading, 27-year-old tea seller Swapnil Hasan Emon has set up an unusual library inside his own tea shop.
Emon is the son of Bazlur Rahman of Nachnapara in Kalapara municipality, Patuakhali. Poverty kept him from formal education, but he has loved reading since childhood. He says he read at least a thousand books at a young age.
Emon is not only a reader but also a writer. He has written two poetry books, ‘Ami Ebong Apnar Chhoddobesh’ and ‘Kortripokkho Dayi Noy’. One has already been published; he says the other will be available at the next book fair.
About three months ago, Emon set up the small library in one corner of his tea shop in the Ferighat area of Patuakhali town. It holds at least three hundred books of stories, novels and poetry.
People of different ages now gather at the shop every day to read while drinking tea. The initiative has drawn praise from local residents.
Md Shahin of Nachnapara in Kalapara said it is an exceptional initiative. He said they often come to Emon's shop and read books, and that reading a story or novel over tea feels wonderful. He also demanded government-built libraries in every neighbourhood.
Saiful Islam, a resident of the Etimkhana area, said he and his friends come every afternoon, sit at the shop, drink tea and read. He said that although they used to look at mobile phones over tea, reading books here feels much better. Saiful welcomed Emon's initiative to reduce mobile addiction.
Emon wants to expand the library. He said poverty prevented him from studying, but he has always been drawn to books. Saying that financial hardship is holding back the expansion, he has sought government and private support.
