Stories Touch The Right Chord At Delhi’s Human Library

Following the success of Hyderabad’s Human Library, Delhi had its first of its kind human library on Sunday (June 18) at Innov8 co-working space in Connaught Place. The aim of a Human Library is to let people borrow persons and listen to their stories in a group. In this way, the storyteller becomes the book itself and the readers sits alongside to hear rather than read.

The human stories emulate a sense of knowledge and understanding of wider issues -- be it stereotypes, gender issues, social issues into the readers (or listeners). The idea is to widen our horizons through experiences of others

Originated in Copenhagen, Denmark, Human Library has travelled all the way to India -- its capital city and other metro cities.

The human stories emulate a sense of knowledge and understanding of wider issues -- be it stereotypes, gender issues, social issues into the readers (or listeners). The idea is to widen our horizons through experiences of others because many times people don’t have the habit of reading but everyone can listen to others as we normally do. And the best part about a human book is that there are no lapses in your mind at the end of the story because one can always ask questions and clear their insight.

Break Free in motion

Delhi’s Human Library attracted hundreds of people who came just to experience how it is going to work out. As people sat for the book-reading sessions, they came out inspired, awakened and in awe of the books.

The Library consisted of 11 books in total namely -- Another High, The Rover, Break Free, Tea Leaves and Books, The Artefact Hunter, Cancer Survivor, Writings on the Blackboard, Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, Himalayan Conservationist, Differently and Able and Be Not a Victim but a Fighter. And mind you, these are people, who have given their stories these titles.

ALSO READ: Children’s Laureate Lauren Child On Gender Inequality In Books

During a 20-minute session of Break Free, the book told its readers its story of how it broke free from a non-consensual marriage.

During a Book reading session at Human Library

 “Education became the foundation of what I am as it was one thing that I kept going back to. I know it sounds huge but if you have an adequate education then you can actually rock the world!,” said one of the books who broke free with the help of correct knowledge and how education became her biggest asset. This story left the readers awe-inspired of Break Free and with a sense of what happens when a partner’s consent in marriage has no respect. The book today runs a platform called Ungender where she provides legal counseling to distressed people.

The Rover as it unfolds its adventures

Another story of The Rover evoked a larger sense of liberation for young women in the country who often find it hard to convince their parents to let them travel solo. This is a story of perseverance, passion and love for trekking that led a person to traverse 23,800 km, visiting 17 countries in a single car with no backup and one woman who knows no boundaries.

The Human Library in Delhi turned out to be a huge success as people took time out on a Sunday afternoon to come and be a part of a novel experience.

Here's to many more such enlightening experiences!