Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Book Clubs Join to Celebrate Independence Day with Reading
Every year on August 15, India celebrates Independence Day.
This year, book lovers in two Indian cities had a special idea.
Instead of the usual celebrations, they decided to read books together.
Lots of people joined them — more than 600 readers!
They were called 'reading revolutionaries.'
That name means they love the freedom to read and think for themselves.
The book clubs asked everyone to put away their phones and enjoy stories.
It rained a lot in Mumbai, but the readers stayed anyway.
People came with different books and different stories, but they all read together.
It was a celebration of books, ideas, and diversity.
More than 600 readers gathered across five Bookbar locations in Mumbai and Pune for an Independence Day reading celebration.
Mumbai Bookies, Pune Bookies and Bookbar organized the event, describing participants as 'reading revolutionaries.'
The gathering took place in Bandra's Pali Village, where readers took over Pali Village and Bookbar spaces.
Participants were encouraged to put away their phones and spend time immersed in books, celebrating the freedom to read and think independently.
Despite Mumbai's heavy rain, the event continued with support from the Pali community, uniting readers with different books and stories.
- Who
- Mumbai Bookies, Pune Bookies and Bookbar, along with more than 600 readers
- What
- A joint Independence Day gathering where readers took over Pali Village and Bookbar spaces to celebrate the freedom to read and think independently
- When
- Independence Day (August 15)
- Where
- Pali Village, Bandra, Mumbai, and five Bookbar locations in Mumbai and Pune, India
- Why
- To celebrate the freedom to read and think independently and to mark India's Independence Day through literature
- Event
- Independence Day book reading gathering
- Organizers
- Mumbai Bookies, Pune Bookies, Bookbar
- Location
- Pali Village, Bandra, Mumbai
- Number of readers
- More than 600
- Venues
- Five Bookbar locations in Mumbai and Pune
- Theme
- Freedom to read and think independently
- Occasion
- India's Independence Day (August 15)