Bhubaneswar: Some establishments become part of a city’s fabric over a period of time. Modern Book Depot can be considered one of those iconic stores in Bhubaneswar.
Located in the heart of the city at Master Canteen, the bookstore has been a cherished destination for bibliophiles, including renowned writers, journalists and high-ranking officials, for over 50 years.
However, the bookstore’s proprietor, Om Prakash, has now started the process to relocate to a new address as the lease agreement for the shop expired on July 31, and the owners have issued an eviction notice.
“The agreement has concluded, and despite my fervent entreaties, the owners are not inclined to renew it,” Prakash said. He said that for decades, there was no formal agreement with the property owner. Two years ago, a written contract was executed, he added.
Prakash, now in his 70s, has now initiated the process of transferring the books from the Master Canteen address to his residence in Surya Nagar as a temporary arrangement. Prakash has been running the bookstore since he was 20. “My father established the bookstore in 1970. My profound love for books has kept me motivated to run the store,” he said.
Recently, the store was in the headlines when former chief minister Naveen Patnaik visited to purchase a few books after the general elections. Naveen had said that he purchased some books from the store to relax after the electoral grind.
The shifting of the bookstore has stirred a wave of nostalgia among the readers.
Sambit Acharya, a regular patron, said Modern Book Depot is more than just a bookstore. “It is a cultural hub. It has become a landmark. I remember the first time I visited the store in 1997,” Acharya said.
Many are voicing support to keep the bookstore in its present location or assist Prakash in finding a new place in the vicinity of Master Canteen to relocate. “Master Canteen has quite a few landmarks and Modern Book Depot is one of them,”