Kolkata News Online : Established in 1886 on College Street, The Dasgupta and Co. library, Kolkata’s oldest bookshop, is now extending its legacy by transforming into a free library for students who cannot afford books. This historic bookshop, which has been accorded Grade IIA heritage status by the government, is managed by Arabinda Dasgupta. He announced that the free library will be open on all working days from noon to 6 p.m., offering a valuable resource for underprivileged students.
Despite this new initiative, the bookshop will continue its regular operations. The shop is already attracting about 400 customers daily. The store’s bestsellers include works by renowned authors like Rabindranath Tagore, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Ashapurna Devi, Sirshendu, and Samaresh Majumdar. Additionally, the shop champions new writers who have gained popularity on Facebook, such as Roshenara Khan, Dipankar Dasgupta, and Ismat Rizwana.
The bookstore’s origins trace back to Girish Chandra Dasgupta, who founded it after moving from Kaliagram village, now in Bangladesh. Enchanted by the academic atmosphere of College Street, Girish established his bookshop and witnessed significant historical events, including the Indian Independence Day and the Naxal Movement.
As it molds itself into a free library, The Dasgupta and Co. library now also continues to be a symbol of knowledge and culture, supporting both traditional literature and emerging voices in Kolkata.