*Counterpunch - * http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/06/13/the-loneliest-library-in-the-world/?utm_source=feedly&utm_reader=feedly&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-loneliest-library-in-the-worldAt 73, P.V. Chinnathambi runs one of the loneliest libraries anywhere. In the middle of the forested wilderness of Kerala’s Idukki district, the library’s 160-books — all classics — are regularly borrowed, read, and returned by poor, Muthavan adivasis. It’s a tiny tea-shop, a mud-walled structure in the middle of nowhere. The hand-written sign on plain paper pinned to the front, reads: *Akshara Arts & Sports* Library Iruppukallakudi Edamalakudi [image: sainathlibrary] http://www.counterpunch.org/wp-content/dropzone/2014/06/sainathlibrary.jpg *P.V. Chinnathambi, 73, Tea Vendor, Sports Club Organizer and Librarian* This is a low literacy spot in Kerala, India’s most literate state. There are just 25 families in this hamlet of the state’s first elected tribal village council. Anyone else wanting to borrow a book from here would have to trek a long way through dense forest. Would they, really? “Well, yes,” says P.V. Chinnathambi, 73, Tea Vendor, Sports Club Organizer and Librarian. “They do.” His little shop — selling tea, ‘mixture,’ biscuits, matches and other provisions – sits at the hilly crossroads of Edamalakudi. This is Kerala’s remotest panchayat, where just one adivasi group, the Muthavans, resides. Getting there had meant an 18-km walk from Pettimudi near Munnar. Reaching Chinnathambi’s tea-shop library meant even more walking. His wife is away on work when we stumble across his home. They too, are Muthavans. -- Thanks and regards. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jayadev P. Hiremath University Librarian Karnataka State Law University Navanagar, Hubli - 580 001 Tel : +91 836 2222901 Fax : +91 836 2323151 Mob. +91 9886080147 Website : http://www.kslu.ac.in/ E-mail : jayadevh@hotmail.com LinkedIn : http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jayadev-p-hiremath/44/12a/2a0 Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/people/Jayadev-P-Hiremath/603802230 -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.