Patna: For many students, the most rewarding lessons on campus are not always found in lecture halls or textbooks. Across Patna’s colleges and universities, book clubs are creating spaces where young minds can explore ideas, discover literature and express themselves freely. From silent reading hours to performances and lively discussions, these initiatives are giving campus life a creative dimension.Bookistan, the active reading club of the Patna School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC) under Aryabhatta Knowledge University, was founded in 2021. A student-driven platform, it encourages the sharing of ideas, critical reviews and discussions on literature and media.Manisha Prakash, head of SJMC and founder of the club, said, “The idea is to inculcate the habit of reading among students. Journalism requires a particular skill set, and the reading club helps them gain the right exposure to literature. The club is open to all students of the university, and we have a dedicated period for its activities in the timetable. There is also an hour of silent reading.”At the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Patna, ‘Get Your Book Club’ brings students together through literature and social welfare. Expresso, the institute’s literary and art club, seeks to make reading and creative expression an integral part of campus life. Founded on Sept 5, 2019, it follows the tagline ‘More expresso, less depresso’ and gives students an outlet for interests beyond academics.With NIT Patna operating from two campuses, in Patna and Bihta, the club has separate teams to ensure participation from both. It functions under the guidance of professor-in-charge Preksha Gupta and dean, student welfare, Prabhat Kumar.“The idea is to make reading and creative expression a shared experience rather than something restricted to textbooks and examinations,” Gupta said.Patna Women’s College has its own initiative, the Kitab Club, established in 2020. Priyanka, a teacher in the department of history and coordinator of the club, said it was conceived to encourage students to examine books and social issues through an interdisciplinary lens.“While the teachers’ book club functions online, the students’ club is conducted offline. Professors from different streams and disciplines conduct book review sessions. We also invite experts from outside the campus to offer their views and feedback. The idea is to bring different perspectives into discussions,” she said.Students from political science, economics, sociology and physics are encouraged to participate and interpret books through the lens of their respective disciplines. The exchange helps them look beyond the boundaries of their subjects and develop a wider understanding of social issues.Kitab Club has also introduced mono-act performances and quiz competitions based on characters created by William Shakespeare and Premchand. Book exhibitions on occasions such as Women’s Day and Independence Day give students an opportunity to browse and buy books. A president, treasurer and secretary, backed by a core committee, oversee its activities and coordinate participation across departments.
