Sun Feb 23 18:00:06 UTC 2025: **Vijayawada Book Mela Distributes 25,000 Books**
VIJAYAWADA, Andhra Pradesh – A two-day book mela in Vijayawada concluded Sunday, distributing over 25,000 books free of charge to attendees. Organized by the Sarvottama Grandhalayam and the Andhra Pradesh Library Association, the event saw approximately 10,000 people attend, with hundreds of students and families flocking to the library to select books.
The annual event, held since 2015, has distributed nearly 300,000 books in total. Books are primarily donated by individuals and publishers, with donations collected in a designated box at the library. The event, unique in its scale within the state, draws participants from surrounding districts.
This year’s selection included 25,000 books across 30 genres, ranging from biology and history to children’s literature and biographies. The mela, previously timed to coincide with World Book Day in April, was moved to February to avoid the summer heat. The organizing secretary, Raavi Sarada, expressed gratitude for the consistent support from donors, ensuring sufficient books for each year’s event. She highlighted the initiative’s aim to provide access to books for those who may not otherwise have it.
First Piper 