Archive · 5 Aug 2025
Bankura Biri Factory Keeps Century-Old Reading Tradition
Imagine workers in a factory, busy making things.
In some places, like a factory in India, someone reads the news out loud to them while they work.
This tradition, called 'lectura,' is like having a newspaper reader in the factory!
It started long ago in Cuba and later in India, helping the workers stay informed since many don't have TVs or radios.
An older man has been reading the news there for many years, and even if he's away, someone else takes over, showing how important the news is to everyone.
A century-old tradition of lectura, where a person reads to workers, continues in a Bankura biri factory.
The practice started in Cuba around 1865 and in Bankura in 1956, with the reintroduction in 1982.
Pasupati Nag, a 70-year-old, has been reading newspaper headlines for an hour daily at the factory for 43 years.
The lectura provides workers with news updates, as many lack access to television or radio.
The tradition continues uninterrupted, even when the regular reader is absent, showing its importance to the workers.
- Who
- Pasupati Nag, the current reader, and the biri factory workers.
- What
- The continuation of the 'lectura' tradition, where newspaper headlines are read aloud to workers at a Bankura biri factory.
- When
- The tradition in Bankura started in 1956 and was reintroduced in 1982, with a current reader for the past 43 years.
- Where
- Bankura Biri Silpi Cooperative Society Limited in Bankura, India.
- Why
- To provide news updates, a sense of community, and continue a long-standing tradition.
- Tradition Name
- Lectura
- Location
- Bankura, India
- Factory
- Bankura Biri Silpi Cooperative Society Limited
- Current Reader
- Pasupati Nag
- Years of Service (Reader)
- 43 years
- Reading Duration
- 1 hour daily
- Original Start Year
- 1956