Dhruv Book Centre

Dhruv Book Centre is tucked away in Gali Jatwara in Darya Ganj. If you know this part of Delhi, you know it’s a maze of narrow lanes and old buildings. Our shop is number 3572, and it’s right behind Sablok Clinic. It’s a busy spot, especially on Sundays when the whole area turns into a giant book market. We’ve been here for a while now, just keeping things running. Most days start with us unlocking the shutters and dusting off the shelves because Darya Ganj is quite dusty. The space isn’t huge, so books are piled up everywhere. Sometimes it’s hard to find a specific title quickly, but we usually know where everything is hidden. We don't have fancy lights or air conditioning that works all the time. It’s just a regular shop where people come to browse. You might have to squeeze past a few people in the aisle. It gets loud outside with the rickshaws and people shouting, but inside it’s mostly just the smell of paper. We spend a lot of time just talking to folks who stop by. Some are looking for school books, others just want something to read on the train. We try to keep a good variety on the shelves, though it’s a constant battle with the space we have. There’s a tea stall nearby that keeps us going during the long afternoons. It's not a flashy place, just a simple book shop in a very old part of town.