This article was published in CityPlus – April 10, 2011
For most people, success is measured in money and fame, but it takes a special kind of person to derive satisfaction from just being a part of innumerable lives. One such person who has touched the lives of the readers living in Jayanagar is Mr. Chandrashekhar. Chandrashekar who is also fondly called as Uncle has been running a circulation library in Jayanagar 9th Block for the past 35 years. Three generations of people have been religiously visiting this library, sharing books, exchanging thoughts and I bet that some of the most interesting conversations take place here!
How it all started
An avid reader of books who is also passionate of meeting fellow readers and making new friends, Uncle who was working in BEL borrowed Rs 1,700 from his father in law and cousins to start Gurudutt Circulating library on June 12, 1976. Uncle had been toying with the idea of opening a library just for the benefit of the residents of Jayanagar. He was fascinated by human behaviour and saw this as the perfect opportunity to study it.
The Library
The library is located near the Raagigudda Temple in Jayanagar 9th Block. This humble library has been a treasure trove of literary riches collected over the years and enjoyed and exchanged among strangers thanks to a common source – Uncle. The library boasts of a vast collection of books, more than 10,000 in number, including fictional novels, comics and magazines in English, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu. The best part of the library is the nominal fee for borrowing books so that readers are not burdened.
One man support system
Ask any child devouring his/her comics, any housewife who loves her magazines, all love and adore “Uncle”. Not only is he a provider of their daily dose of books but also an “Agony Aunt” when it comes to their problems. Not one to sugar-coat words, uncle believes in being simple and honest. He is the one-man support system for many. People come in just to say “Hi” and are greeted with an ever-ready smile on uncle’s face.
Most joyful experience
The popularity of his library reached so far that people from Malleswaram and Peenya used to travel to Jayanagar to borrow books. The affinity he has towards people is such that once a member landed at his library as soon as getting off a flight from the US. The best part of the job, according to Uncle is meeting people from the age of 8 to 80. He loves interacting with members and does so with ease irrespective of their age and title. “The joy I get when members come to me and narrate their success stories is unbelievable. When people come to me to tell that they got into IIT and IIM or received their PhD, I feel like a proud father. In that way, I have 5,700 family members!” he says. “Whatever I am today it is because of my members. Their contribution to my growth is amazing” he adds modestly.
Advice for youngsters
“Enjoy life. Have perseverance in whatever you do, one can’t become successful overnight” he says.
Success Mantra
Uncle attributes his success to enthusiasm, consistency, keeping things simple and looking at the beauty in things. One thing he keeps in mind before buying books is the members’ interests. He couldn’t have done any of it if it weren’t for the love and support of his wife Susheela he says, who runs the library with him. “Come rain or shine she has consistently been there for the library and its members”. Nurturing relationships is of most importance to him. “You are what your relationship is”, he says wisely. People’s love for him is what keeps him going. “It had never been about the money for me” he says. A man of simple living and high thinking, he is one “Uncle” the residents of Jayanagar have come to share and love.
