KIRANMAI TUTIKA | AMARAVATI

In the heart of Vijayawada, the Alankar Centre, once a vibrant hub of book lovers and curious minds, now wears a subdued look. The once-familiar rustle of pages, chatter of students, and clinking of cash drawers have all but faded. The modest rows of bookstalls here—once a lifeline for college-goers and avid readers seeking rentals—are now struggling to survive as footfall steadily declines.

“I remember the days when students would line up outside my stall every morning, especially on Sundays. Textbooks, novels, exam guides, you name it, they wanted it. Now, I sit for hours without a single customer. There was hope post-pandemic, but things didn’t return to normal. We’ve cut down on our inventory, reduced staff… we are just trying to stay afloat” says Ravi Kumar, who has been running Noble bookstall here for over 25 years.

The stalls, which traditionally offered books on rent for a fraction of the retail price, once drew large crowds, especially during the academic season. With new academic years kicking off, one would expect brisk business. But the current reality tells a different story.

“Today, students prefer PDFs or online resources. Some don’t even bother buying or renting physical books,” explains Ratna Lakshmi, who manages a bookstall alongside her husband. “Our collection is wide, and we update regularly. But it doesn’t matter anymore.”

Most stall owners point to the digital shift as the primary reason behind the slowdown. The increasing availability of free e-books, YouTube tutorials, and educational apps has made traditional book rentals seem outdated to younger generations.

“The culture of reading physical books is vanishing. Even parents don’t encourage it like before. Everyone wants quick answers, not slow learning,” says Suresh Babu, another long-time shopkeeper of Diamond book centre.

Interestingly, the decline isn't just limited to academic books. Even fiction, competitive exam material, and language guides, once high in demand, are now gathering dust. Rent-a-book services that once helped students and job seekers study affordably now find few takers. Despite the gloom, some shopkeepers are reluctant to give up.

“Even if there are fewer readers today, I will keep my stall open as long as I can. Who knows, maybe one day, the trend will return,” says Suresh Babu. But for now, Alankar Centre’s bookstalls stand as quiet reminders of a fading culture, where stories, knowledge, and paperbacks once thrived…now fading.