Katha Ghar: 17-year-old girl sets up free library outside her Koramangala home
A 17-year-old student in Bengaluru has established 'Katha Ghar,' a free community library box in her neighborhood to encourage reading habits. The initiative has since joined a national network dedicated to providing equal access to information.
Why it matters
Community-led literacy initiatives highlight the importance of grassroots efforts in bridging the gap in access to educational resources for diverse socioeconomic groups.
Mihira Gujral, a 17-year-old studying in a private school in Bengaluru, has started Katha Ghar, a free library in a small hut-shaped box installed in front of her house in Koramangala 1st Block.
Speaking to The Hindu , Ms. Gujral said: “My father and I were on a trek in the United States of America (USA) and I came across a free book library installed in the front yard of a house. We were both happy to see this free book unit and thought of implementing the same in front of our house. Hence, my father had this hut-like wooden box designed and installed in December 2025.”
Recently, Katha Ghar registered as a member of the Delhi-based Free Libraries Network, an organisation that works to build, operate and advocate for free libraries that guarantee equal access for all to reading, learning, and information resources.
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