Last Friday when I was travelling to Chittoor , I read an interesting article about the Strand Book Stall.This Book Stall having shops in Mumbai and Bangalore has many unique qualities , and this prompted me in writing this article hoping ,it will be useful to some of us who havent heard about it ,like me.First and the most unique point about this book stall is that was the first bookstall in he world offering a minimum of 20% discount on all of its books.The interesting part of the article was about the founder of this book Stall Sri T.N.Shanbag,aged 81 now,and what prompted him in starting the book stall.In short,T.N.Shanbag was bornin Karnataka,lost his father at very early,His uncle took all their property,...Mumbai..,loves to read books,observed good books are Far fro the reach of ordinary people through some of the experiences in his life.This finally let him to start a small book Stall ,in a Theatre in Mumbai on 20th November ,1948.People used to come to this stall during the interval,his immense knowledge of books attracted the people and soon the stall started gaining popularity.He shifted the shop to a bigger place still keeping the name "Strand book Stall".He always believed that selling books is not just like any other commodity whch are sold just for the sake of profit.In his journey he gave books to many personalities like Nehru,JRD Tata,Homi Bhaba etc.,Now he is the oly book seller who recieved Padmasri from govt and even UNESCO recognised him as the person who encouraged
book reading in India.
other points as I found on its website
1. STRAND BOOK STALL was founded by Mr. T. N. Shanbhag on 20th November 1948.
2. We were the first in the world to give minimum 20% discount on all books. We do not offer "pulp stuff" as good books. But only outstanding books in each field.
3. Since then we have gone far and now we give 50% or more discount on the day of publication on many books. The latest example : The one and the only Stephen Hawking's "Universe In A Nutshell" published price Rs.1775.00 our price Rs.625.00 (Discount 65%). Likewise Nobel Prize winner V. S. Naipaul's latest book "Half A Life" published price Rs.1205.00 our price Rs.275.00 (Discount 77%).
4. "Barnes and Noble" the largest chain of book stores in the world started giving 20% discount from 1976. Nearly 30 years after us. Moreover they are giving only 20% even now and no more. That too on hardbound books not paperbacks.
5. We have been reader friendly from day 1.
6. Those books which are not listed, we shall give a quotation (The best possible price for a single copy) imported specially for you by airfreight. Please try us.
Bangalore Branch Address : S 113 -114, Manipal Centre, Dickenson Road, BANGALORE - 560 042.Phone : (080) 5580000 Tele-Fax : (080) 5582222E-mail : strandbkATbglDOTvsnlDOTnetDOTin
Mumbai Address:"Dhannur", Sir P. M. Road,Fort, MUMBAI - 400 001Phone : (022) 2661719/2661994/2614613 Fax : (022) 2630154Email : strandbookstallATvsnlDOTcom
Though I have been living in Banglore for the past year and Half , I have never come across this book stall.After knowing its importance now I feel this book stall is worth a visit.And by the way, the Banglore office is being taken care by Vidya , Daughter to T.N Shanbag.
