Young Reader’s Tram Car

How about blending a heritage tram car ride and encouraging book reading habits in children? Such thoughts indeed are the need of the hour. And Kolkata again shows the way forward. The world’s first Library on Tram dedicated to children will be virtually inaugurated today by West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) and Apeejay Anand Children’s Library. Rajanvir Singh Kapur, MD, West Bengal Transport Corporation said: ‘Kolkata Young Reader’s Tramcar will be the first of its kind and on Children’s Day the kids will get a free tram ride. This first ever children’s tram library will give access to children across all age groups and segments and they will get a chance to pick and read their favourite books while on the move.’

Helping WBTC, the Oxford Bookstores has curated a unique selection of titles and literature across various young reading age groups for the Kolkata Young Reader’s Tram Car. Year-long activities for children on board the tramcar, such as story-telling dramatized readings, poetry sessions, book launches, music and more are also on the cards to captivate young minds.

The library looks vibrant and colourful, decorated with attractive artworks of children reading, hand painted by local artists.The books kept are from different genres and they will help inculcate the habit of reading in children, something they are fast losing due to invasion of gadgets. Helping WBTC, the Oxford Bookstores has curated a unique selection of titles and literature across various young reading age groups for the Kolkata Young Reader’s Tram Car. Year-long activities for children on board the tramcar, such as story-telling dramatized readings, poetry sessions, book launches, music and more are also on the cards to captivate young minds.

As Mr. Kapur puts in: “The idea behind the Kolkata Young Reader’s Tramcar is that all children should get access to read good books and what better than the Kolkata trams!” The tram would run on Shyambazar Esplanade and Esplanade-Gariahat routes spanning North to South of Kolkata and there would be no ticket for children and Kanyashrees (18 or below) in this tramcar. People more than 18 can surely enjoy the tramcar as well, at normal AC tram fares. 

“The idea behind the Kolkata Young Reader’s Tramcar is that all children should get access to read good books and what better than the Kolkata trams!”

The Kolkata tramways have been operating since 1873 when the maiden tram took off with horses. In 1880, the Calcutta Tramway Company was formed in London which is now called the WBTC that runs the only existing tramways in India. The WBTC has taken lot of steps recently to popularize tram as a choice mode of Kolkata’s transport. Earlier, heritage arts were put in trams making people aware of heritage. Then, the Tram Library was launched and recently, a jute tram: Paat Rani was also started. 

Apeejay Anand Children's Library, an Education Support Program was incorporated in 1992 in Kolkata in the loving memory of Priti, Priya and Karan Paul’s brother Anand [1972-1989].  Conceptualized as a visually exciting and happy space that draws kids in, Apeejay Anand Children's Library, has over the years, become stimulating learning stations. The books in the Library have been donated by Group's Bookstore chain, Oxford Bookstore.