Reviving taste for scent of a book in Manipur

'Thank you': Sexual abuse survivor to cops

- PRASANTA MAZUMDAR @Guwahati

IN Manipur's Imphal valley, a quiet revolution is taking root—one with the scent of books, brews of black coffee, and the quiet determination of young minds.

In just two years, the valley has witnessed the rise of over 30 private and community-led commercial libraries, giving birth to a thriving culture of self-study and silent resilience.

Frequent internet shutdowns and curfews during the bloody ethnic conflict are believed to be among the reasons behind their birth. In 2023 alone, when the violence broke out, Manipur experienced the world's longest internet shutdown, totaling over 5,000 hours. Most of these libraries have sprouted in Imphal East, Imphal West, and Kakching districts.