Extracted from Vignettes from My Childhood by Anubba and published by Adhyaan Books
One of Dehradun’s most popular bookshops, The English Book Depot (EBD), was established in 1923. Located at Rajpur Road, this cornucopia of publication is a perfect place for book lovers in a great setting.
Bound by Books
From the historical landmarks 'Ghanta Ghar'
Past the sumptuous Kulfi Falooda1 fame, 'Kumar Sweets.'
Crossing the finely structured General Post Office
Up to the teeming Gandhi Park on the hustling Rajpur Road
With a spring in my steps and a song in my heart, I strode
Gripped with fervour, across to my dearly-Loved abode
“The English Book Depot", its doors swung open, wide
Inviting me to venture in, explore, and confide
The shop owner, gentle and amiable, greeted me with cheer
He understood my love for books, my passion-sincere
Without a purchase, he let me access and delve
Into magical lands, where adventures veer and swerve
A pact was made, one book a month I would buy
But the rest, in this bookish wonderworld, I'd heartily devour with joy
Week after week, I'd eagerly anticipate
The tales I'd consume, Oh! The stories I'd celebrate
My eyes shimmied across the titles, like stars in the midnight sky
Classics and fantasies, a profusion of genres that vary and diversify
Fiction and nonfiction, comics, biographies, science and history
A kaleidoscope of narratives, a rollercoaster of variety
I roamed the narrow alleys, caressing spines with care
Between the 'letter-larks, lies a cosmos where dreams ensnare
From interesting tomes of ancient lore to brand-new releases bold
Every book had an incredible story, longing to be told
Inside this Elysium, time would swiftly glide
As I immersed myself in narratives, a satiating ride
While my mother toiled in the bustling bazaar
I'd lose 'me' in leaves of literature, itinerating near and far
In this wisdom store', a wonder word-alcove for me
Enid Blyton's Famous Five' and 'Secret Seven' set my imagination free
I'd remember the page number and with patience, I'd wait
Anxiously craving for the next reading date
Gratitude and regard for the owner, so kind
His generosity shaped my young, creative, curious mind
Through his encouragement, good reading habits were sown
A connection with books that has blossomed and grown
So, let me raise a toast to this word-world in a room
To the power of stories, where words unfadingly bloom
For within the boundless pages, my passion emboldened
An avid love for reading, eternally profound
The book is available at The English Book Depot. It's filled with colorful and beautiful watercolor illustrations that add joy to the heartwarming poems. The collection features 50 magical poems that reminisce about the author's days growing up in Dehradun. The price is Rs 499/-. To place your order, you can email at Sales@EBD.IN.
Kulf-Falooda: A frozen dairy dessert topped with flavoured cornstarch vermicelli, rose syrup and nuts.