A Contemporary Cultural Hub

Today the film 'Ikkis' directed by Sriram Raghavan opened in Indian theatres, sparking renewed discussion of Partition-era Hindi cinema and its literary roots. The movie joins a growing wave of contemporary works that bridge classic Hindi film heritage with modern Indian literature, highlighting the fading memories of the 1947 Partition. Its opening weekend attracted over 1.2 million viewers nationwide, making it the highest‑grossing Partition‑themed film in a decade.

•Coforge Public Library in Vasant Kunj: A New Model for Cultural Preservation

Coforge Public Library in Vasant Kunj: A New Model for Cultural Preservation

The Coforge Public Library, inaugurated on 5 June 2026 on the first floor of Vasant Square Mall, offers 10,000 sq ft of free, gadget‑free reading space to the public. With 15,000 titles—including 1,500 Hindi books and a Braille collection sourced from the National Book Trust—the library draws 200‑250 visitors on weekends and 170 on weekdays, signalling a fresh approach to community‑centred cultural infrastructure.

The library’s design prioritises quiet study, wheelchair‑friendly aisles and a “no‑mobile‑phone” policy enforced through lockers. Its colour‑coded seating (pink, blue, grey) and panoramic views of trees aim to recreate the ambience of a traditional reading room while catering to modern urban lifestyles.

▸10,000 sq ft built‑up area, spread over a single floor
▸15,000 titles, of which 1,500 are in Hindi
▸Braille section supplied by the National Book Trust
▸Seating capacity for 170 users; 200‑250 weekend footfall
▸Open daily from 09:00 hrs to 20:00 hrs; wheelchair‑accessible aisles

The initiative stems from Coforge CEO Sudhir Singh’s exposure to privately‑funded public libraries in the United States, which he adapted to the Indian context. Chief Brand and Sustainability Officer Anuradha Sehgal describes the library as “a social‑responsibility project that brings the community back to reading”.

Heritage in the Making: Libraries as Custodians of Intangible Culture

Beyond books, libraries safeguard oral traditions, folk narratives and regional dialects—forms of Intangible Cultural Heritage that risk erosion in fast‑growing metros. By housing Hindi literature and Braille editions, the Vasant Kunj branch reinforces linguistic diversity and accessibility, echoing UNESCO’s call for inclusive heritage preservation.

▸1,500 Hindi titles address the demand for regional language literature
▸Braille collection enables visually‑impaired readers to engage with texts
▸Quiet zones encourage oral storytelling sessions and community workshops
▸Partnerships with local schools foster inter‑generational transmission of folklore

Such efforts complement India’s commitments under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, which obliges signatories to protect both tangible monuments and living traditions. The library’s model demonstrates how urban spaces can become incubators for cultural continuity, countering the homogenising impact of digital media.

Did You Know? The concept of a “public library” in India dates back to the 19th century, when the British introduced the Public Library Act 1850 to promote literacy among colonial subjects. Modern private initiatives like Coforge’s echo that historic mission while adding a corporate‑social‑responsibility dimension.

Legal and Institutional Framework

Public libraries operate within a mosaic of statutes that ensure transparency, accountability and equitable access. The Right to Information Act 2005 empowers citizens to request operational data from library administrations, while the Public Library Act 1955 (applicable in several states) mandates minimum standards for space, collection size and staffing.

▸The library publishes its visitor statistics annually as per RTI provisions
▸Compliance with the Public Library Act’s 5 % collection‑growth benchmark
▸Regular audits by the Ministry of Culture’s Library Division
▸Adoption of a “no‑device” rule aligns with the Act’s emphasis on quiet study environments

These legal anchors not only safeguard the library’s public‑service ethos but also provide a template for other corporate entities seeking to launch similar cultural projects.

Cultural Diplomacy and Soft Power

Coforge’s library, though privately funded, contributes to India’s broader agenda of Cultural Diplomacy. By offering a space where citizens from diverse backgrounds can engage with Indian literature, the library reinforces the nation’s soft‑power narrative abroad. International visitors to Delhi often cite such inclusive cultural venues as markers of India’s vibrant civil society.

▸Hosting of multilingual literary festivals attracts foreign scholars
▸Collaboration with embassies for curated exhibitions on Indian art
▸Promotion of Indian authors through reading clubs, enhancing global literary visibility
▸Potential replication in other Indian metros amplifies the diplomatic footprint

In an era where cultural capital rivals economic might, the library’s success underscores how grassroots initiatives can augment state‑led diplomatic efforts.

Looking Ahead

The Vasant Kunj library illustrates a scalable blueprint: combine corporate vision, statutory compliance and community‑centric design to nurture heritage in the heart of the city. As urbanisation accelerates, such spaces will be pivotal in preserving the pluralistic tapestry that defines India’s cultural identity.