Saving Dreamz Foundation recently had the privilege of visiting Mr. Dinesh Dhawane, a passionate bibliophile and one of the visionary founders of the Nagpur Book Club. This memorable session offered not only a glimpse into Mr. Dhawane’s extraordinary personal book collection but also an enlightening discussion on the history and evolution of libraries and books through the ages.
The session began with a fascinating overview of the various forms of libraries that have evolved to meet different needs: - Corporate Libraries - Academic Libraries - Personal Libraries - Digital Libraries & E-Libraries - Programming Libraries
Mr. Dhawane traced the journey of books from their origin:
The first books were not printed but inscribed on clay tablets during the Uruk period in Mesopotamia.
He shared insights into ancient libraries like the Library of Alexandria, the Takshashila University Library and the renowned Nalanda University Library, once home to thousands of manuscripts before its destruction.
We also explored the development of publishing methods—from clay tablets to handwritten manuscripts to printed paper.
One of the highlights of the visit was Mr. Dhawane showcasing a book from his collection published in 1823—a precious piece of literary history that left everyone in awe. He narrated his own journey of reading, how his love for books began and the stories behind some of the rare finds in his collection.
The session highlighted legendary personal libraries: - Karl Lagerfeld, the iconic fashion designer, owned a personal collection of over 3 lakh books. - Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, had a personal library of 50,000 books, reflecting his deep thirst for knowledge and research.
Children's engaged in a lively Q&A session, diving deeper into topics like book preservation, the future of libraries, reading habits and how to cultivate a lifelong love for books in the digital age.
We are immensely thankful to Mr. Dinesh Dhawane and Mr. Rohit Tokhi of the Nagpur Book Club, for initiating this wonderful space where knowledge is celebrated and shared. Their efforts to promote reading culture in Nagpur are commendable and inspiring.
This visit reminded us that books are more than just pages—they are gateways to civilizations, philosophies and dreams. Let us continue nurturing this beautiful habit of reading and ensure that the legacy of libraries and books lives on.