Aaji's Eatery: Where books nourish souls | Fusion - WeRIndia

In Ozar, Nashik district, a unique eatery named ‘Ajjichya Pustakancha Hotel’ (Grandmother’s Hotel with Books) combines the joy of eating with the pleasure of reading.

Founded in 2010 by 74-year-old Bhimabai Jondhale, fondly known as Aaji, this restaurant serves hearty meals amidst shelves stocked with over 5,000 books in Marathi, Hindi, and English.

Customers, encouraged to dive into a book while waiting for their food, often find themselves engrossed in a story as their meals arrive.

Bhimabai’s journey into entrepreneurship was sparked by necessity and fueled by her passion for reading, a hobby she cherished since childhood but could seldom indulge in after an early marriage. The initial days were challenging.

Bhimabai and her family endured hardships exacerbated by her husband’s alcoholism and financial instability. They decided to move to the city in 2008, seeking a fresh start away from a life of farming and familial strife.

In the city, Bhimabai’s son, Pravin, initially started a publishing company. When it closed, the family was left with a stock of Marathi books. Leveraging these resources, Bhimabai and her daughter started a small tea stall.

This stall eventually blossomed into today’s eatery, which now stands as a testament to Bhimabai’s resilience and her desire to promote reading among her customers.

Disheartened by the sight of patrons absorbed in their phones, Bhimabai introduced books to the eatery’s atmosphere.

Starting with just 25 books, her collection rapidly expanded as the community embraced her vision. Now, Aaji’s eatery not only offers meals but also fosters a community space where books are friends and silent companions during one’s dining experience.

Bhimabai’s initiative goes beyond just serving food and lending books. On special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries, patrons leave with a book as a gift.

Furthermore, books from Aaji’s collection are also gifted to local hospitals, providing comfort and companionship to those in need.

Today, Aaji’s eatery is more than just a restaurant; it’s a cultural hub that reflects Bhimabai’s belief in the healing power of reading.

Her life, once burdened with struggle, now inspires a legacy of learning and community bonding over books.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Reference: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/477639