The Book House, a 70-year-old bookstore in Matunga, struggles against the combined challenges of technology and the Covid-19 pandemic. Once frequented by luminaries like Shakuntala Devi, the store now grapples with dwindling sales and the impact of digitalization
Established in 1953, the store initially sold novels, magazines, and academic books, catering to college and school students alike. Photo Courtesy: Aakanksha Ahire
Pandurang Bhalekar, a 63-year-old bookseller, can't help but express his frustration: "We hardly earn 1,000 rupees in a day despite having over 3,000 books in the store." The Book House, nestled in Matunga for seven decades, finds itself grappling with an amalgamation of technology's onslaught and the Covid-19 pandemic. This beloved establishment, which once welcomed luminaries like Shakuntala Devi, is now navigating through some of its most challenging days.