His finger slipped, and the paper turned crimson with the
colour of life leaving him.
Overly dramatic right? I basically got a papercut as my
first main activity on a Saturday morning.
Didn’t help that I left my medical
box back home (argument over ‘lack of space’ on airport luggage claiming another
casualty) so just before I went to British Council, I dropped by the
supermarket with a bleeding finger and got a band aid.
Backing up. British Council? Yeah, so today was the first
day of the Human Library for the Chennai Chapter. I can honestly say I didn’t
really understand the concept – but it was a trip to British Council and
meeting some like-minded people that made it a fantastic destination.
My last time at British Council seems a lifetime ago. Going
by the Kolkata metro to pick up an Asimov or Clarke, it was something that
helped fuel the bibliophile in me. But I got distracted by the distance
(laziness knows no bounds) and the small collection of books – so after a year,
I decided to not renew my membership. Which was interesting cause soon after I
left for Jamshedpur for my business studies.
So coming back to British Council, this time in a different
city, was a new and exciting proposition. Chennai had been struggling to make
me feel welcome, not least because I wasn’t exactly walking so much as crawling
along – always wondering if the worth justified the effort. But today was
different.
People and Books. I can find a way to love them no matter
where they are from.
The Ola trip was pleasant, with a friendly driver and me
re-reading The History of Love on the way. Though I do not advise trying to
write, cause uneven roads are not friends of a writer’s pen or even eyes for
that matter. The journey did end abruptly as we missed a turn and I got down.
Navigating a small make-shift pedestrian sidewalk (due to the construction
going on), I managed to make it to the road and was thankfully guided by signs
to British Council.
My feeble attempts to understand the guard’s directions in
Tamil aside, I somehow survived and made it in where like a lost lamb, I
wandered around the place where a screen showed the Human Library will happen.
Thankfully, a bibliophile friend Shweta came soon after (she was a volunteer)
and helped me understand the process.
There would be 15 people who would act as ‘books’, and
basically it would be a Q&A/TedEx type session where we would come to know
their experiences related to a particular theme. I got a sheet containing the
descriptions which ranged from philosophy to transgender issues, and decided to
first go for the ‘live in relationship from an orthodox family’. Yes, yes –
Avishek always goes for relationship discussions first! Have your chuckles, my
friends!
But sadly, neither the book not any fellow reader was at the
seat, and after some time by my lonesome I thankfully found a familiar face
siting at another group location. And she was chatting with a book! So one
glance at my sheet told me it was an educator, who I learnt from our discussion
had left a lucrative job at Goldman Sachs and joined TeachforIndia to become a
teacher for the rural children before shifting to a proper teaching role at an
international school. Sarika was revelation – especially with such a wonderful
nihilistic maxim as ‘I fail everyday’ twisted into a mantra for improvement and
humility. The discussion was engaging and her optimism struck me as alluring.
Teaching is so often considered as a by the numbers job, but if done right, can
change futures of millions across the world.
With the first break, I decided to grab a bite with my
fellow bibliophile friends. Having some French fries and a café latte, I
started my new book. Thoroughly satisfied with my beverage, and refreshed I
went inside – only to find not a single reader seat empty.
Wandering around aimlessly (recurring theme, isn’t it?), I
finally settled on the live-in guy again! Aha, right? I know you did that
reader.
Sreeram was explaining how having a child in a live-in
relationship is one of the most challenging aspects in Indian culture. And it
was fascinating to hear his ideas regarding how men and women can love but not
need a legal document to always bind them together – it sounds utopian in terms
of hope, but sometimes we do need to trust in that.
Sadly, time was of the essence and like all good thing, I
had to leave this book unfinished (which is a rarity for me) and then it was
time for thanks and mementos.
Afterwards I went and met some of the other books, and chatted
with friends – though I’m still a little barricaded because of the language
issues. But with time, will learn. Not out of curiosity for the language, but
because I was to truly connect with the people around me.
We did tease some members, especially the broke bibliophile
Chennai chapter founder and library owner, as people who could have been
excellent choices for books. Both being volunteers for this event, they did
want to next time be involved as readers. While one, who I thought would have
make an excellent book as well, was a little miffed that he hadn’t been
shortlisted as one this time despite registering.
As for me? Well…I’m terrified of talking! But my blog is
open to you, dear readers! Read this book if it pleases you.
And thus ended my first experience of a Human Library. Was
interesting, I have to say.
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