Kalaburagi’s SM Pandit Ranga Mandir bus stop has been transformed into a vibrant open‐air library, thanks to a Rs 1.5 lakh project led by Ward-44 corporator Sachin Shirwal. What began as a plan to install simple benches now features sturdy book racks, lockable cupboards and CCTV surveillance to safeguard the collection.
Shirwal—who also chairs the Standing Committee on Public Health, Education and Social Justice—explained that the idea was conceived as a birthday gift for RDPR minister Priyank Kharge. “College students waiting for buses were scrolling through their phones,” he said. “We wanted to give them an alternative: a chance to pick up a good book, broaden their horizons and cut down on screen time.”
Surrounding the reading area, volunteers have planted saplings to create a cooler, more inviting atmosphere. The library’s current stock, valued at around Rs 50,000, will grow under the “Any Body Can Donate” (ABCD) principle, which encourages book lovers to contribute generously.
Kalaburagi South MLA Allamprabhu Patil applauded the effort as a “model initiative” that will deepen young people’s appetite for reading and shape their futures.
The facility serves students from nearby institutions—including Govt Degree College for Women, HK Women’s Polytechnic, NV College, Vivekanand College, MRMC Medical College and KBN College—who log every borrowing and return in a register. After an initial wave of 150 missing books, CCTV cameras were installed; today, visitors diligently note their transactions, ensuring books come back to the shelves.
“I’ve discovered resources on my intended field of study,” said Sharanu, a nearby college student. “And many of us are now using these books to prepare for competitive exams,” added Sushma. Fiction enthusiasts like Pooja and Veena are equally delighted to find quality novels and story collections waiting for them at the bus stop.
