READING ROOM AT SANJAY COLONY
2016, Sanjay Colony, Delhi, with 'The Community Library Project' by Mridula Koshy


This project emerged from my ongoing collaboration with The Community Library Project, an initiative by literary activist and author Mridula Koshy that serves marginalized neighborhoods and communities. Located in Sanjay Colony, a settlement in Delhi, the project addresses a pressing need within a community where most residents are self-employed as ragpickers and waste segregators. Currently, the neighborhood lacks any designated space for adults to gather or hold discussions.

The reading space aims to provide adults in the community with an opportunity to cultivate a habit of reading while also serving as a hub for congregation, access to social programs, and discussions on community issues. Consistent with the approach of other library projects, the refurbishing process relied on repurposing discarded furniture and materials. Additionally, new furniture for the space was crafted by carpenters trained through the Savda Ghevra Livelihoods program, further integrating local skill-building into the project.