logo
Coimbatore's Old Book Market is having a busy season with schools reopening

Coimbatore's Old Book Market is having a busy season with schools reopening

The Hindua day ago

Hidden in plain sight near the Ukkadam Bus Stand in Coimbatore, beyond the rush of buses and blaring horns, thrives a quiet world. For over 30 years, it has steadily fed curiosity, supported students, and kindled the joy of discovery. This is the Ukkadam Old Book Market, a place where second-hand books tell firsthand stories.
Step inside, and you are greeted by uneven stacks overflowing with paperbacks, hardcovers, exam guides, and timeworn dictionaries. Dust motes swirl like confetti in the sunlight. If you listen closely, you will hear the rustle of pages being flipped, the murmur of titles being read aloud, the banter of booksellers greeting regulars.
For bookworms, this market is more than a retail space. It is a routine.
The market has 31 stalls arranged in a neat space; each one distinctly curated. Some stalls specialise in school and college textbooks; others stock fiction and biographies, among other genres. One may have a stack of books on Thermodynamics next to a box of Enid Blyton's Secret Seven novels. Another might surprise you with a Sidney Sheldon adjacent to class IX Mathematics textbooks. 'Whatever the syllabus, whatever the level, we try to keep something for everyone,' says KM Fazulul Rahiman, a veteran bookseller.
June and July mark the busiest time of the year, when the new academic season draws in a steady stream of students and parents. Guides for JEE, NEET, UPSC, TNPSC, and NET fly off the shelves, along with school textbooks and exam manuals. If a particular edition is unavailable, they go a step further by trying to source missing titles from elsewhere. They also help by suggesting different publishers, authors, or books others in the same age group or exam category have found useful, something that reminds one that this place is alive, not automated.
While commercial bookstores and digital platforms often dictate reading through bestsellers and algorithms, the old book market does something quietly radical. It listens. If a visitor mentions a book from 10 years ago, chances are someone here will have it, or know who might. The sellers frequently exchange stock, refer customers to one another, and even keep running lists of requested titles.
In a sense, this is what sets the Ukkadam Old Book Market apart: its community spirit. 'We work together, not against each other,' says K Mohammed Raja, who has manned his stall for several years. 'That is why the market has survived so long. If a customer walks away happy, even if it's not from my shop, that is a win for all of us.'
A sense of generosity fills the market. It is not uncommon to see a student walk in with a tight budget, and leave with a happy heart, having taken a lot of books back home. Most sellers here grew up valuing education and see themselves as playing a small role in someone else's academic journey.
The market is also a trove of forgotten gems. Between engineering guides and nursing handbooks, you will find everything from vintage travelogues to pulp thrillers, children's comics to political manifestos.
In a world that prizes speed and efficiency, this slow, attentive approach feels almost meditative. Customers are encouraged to browse, to linger, taking them back to old times. There is no pressure to buy, no hovering sales pitch. Time here bends a little differently.
Despite challenges, from changing reading habits to the dominance of online marketplaces, the market has held firm. Though sales dipped during the pandemic, Mohammed says, 'We have bounced back. Students and parents are returning.'
Regulars know they will get honest pricing, quality stock, and real recommendations. And newcomers are often surprised, not just by what they find, but how they feel while finding it. Most books here are also priced much below maximum retail price.
While online bookstores offer convenience, they cannot replicate this level of personal attention, adds Mohammed. The sellers speak from experience, often guiding readers to better editions or newer versions, and warning against duplicate or pirated copies, which have become a common problem in recent years. 'We get people bringing in cheap, poor-quality prints they bought online, with several pages missing, diagrams blurred. We do not entertain that; we believe in giving people books that last,' says Rahiman.
There is something special about second-hand books: each one carries the mark of a previous life, a folded page, a scribbled name, a coffee stain.
Each morning, as shutters rise and books are dusted off, Ukkadam's Old Book Market resumes its quiet magic. Rows of books, seasoned sellers, and readers ready to listen to the stories tucked between the pages.
The Ukkadam Old Book Market is open on all days, 9.30am to 9pm

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

UPSC Prelims Result 2025 LIVE: Merit list expected soon; check cutoff; steps to download scores
UPSC Prelims Result 2025 LIVE: Merit list expected soon; check cutoff; steps to download scores

Mint

time3 hours ago

  • Mint

UPSC Prelims Result 2025 LIVE: Merit list expected soon; check cutoff; steps to download scores

UPSC Prelims Result 2025: The Union Public Service Commission is expected to announce the UPSC Prelims Result 2025 shortly on its official website – and Once declared, candidates who appeared for the UPSC Prelims exam 2025 can download the UPSC Result 2025 PDF through the official website. As per previous year trends, UPSC Prelims Results are usually announced within two-three weeks following the exam. This year, the Prelims exams were held on Sunday, May 25. For the year 2025, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) aims to fill a total of 979 vacancies through the Civil Services Examination. According to reports, approximately 10 lakh candidates appeared for the UPSC Prelims 2025. Once the UPSC Prelims Results are declared, candidates can check the results through the following steps: Visit UPSC's official website – Head to the Result section Click on the UPSC CSE Prelims Result 2025 link available on the homepage Download merit list PDF, and check for your name, roll number

Mains answer practice — GS 3 : Questions on climate change-induced glacier retreat and air pollution crisis (Week 106)
Mains answer practice — GS 3 : Questions on climate change-induced glacier retreat and air pollution crisis (Week 106)

Indian Express

time5 hours ago

  • Indian Express

Mains answer practice — GS 3 : Questions on climate change-induced glacier retreat and air pollution crisis (Week 106)

UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today's answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-3 to check your progress. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for May 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at The persistent air pollution crisis underscores the need for effective air quality monitoring and dust control measures. Critically analyse the shortcomings in the current air quality monitoring infrastructure and dust mitigation strategies. Critically analyse how climate change-induced glacier retreat in the Himalayas is exacerbating the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), and suggest mitigation strategies at the community and policy levels. Introduction — The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction. — It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts. Body — It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content. — The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points. — Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse. — Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer. — Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required. Way forward/ conclusion — The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction. — You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers. Self Evaluation — It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers. QUESTION 1: The persistent air pollution crisis underscores the need for effective air quality monitoring and dust control measures. Critically analyse the shortcomings in the current air quality monitoring infrastructure and dust mitigation strategies. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — One of the government's top priorities is to reduce air pollution. It must now design an effective strategy and put words to action. — The locations of air quality monitoring stations in the capital, for example, did not meet the specifications set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). — According to the non-profit Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, Delhi had the highest PM 10 (particulate matter smaller than 10 micrometres) levels of any of the 130 cities covered under the Centre's National Clean Air Programme in fiscal year 2024-25. During this time, the average PM 10 concentration in the capital was four to five times that of the WHO's recommendation. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: — Delhi had an average annual PM 10 concentration of 206 µg/m3, while Byrinhat and Patna had values of 200 and 180 µg/m3, respectively. — Cities participating in the clean air programme have been assigned a target of reducing inhalable PM 10 particles by up to 40% or meeting national ambient air quality criteria by 2025-26, compared to the 2017 baseline year. The NCAP assesses PM10 reductions on a fiscal year basis. — Managing PM 10 is one of the less problematic components of Delhi's pollution problem. These particles settle faster than smaller PM 2.5 particles, making filtration devices more effective at trapping them. — Road dust accounts for roughly 60% of these bigger pollutants, and basic municipal services can eliminate this threat at the source. According to a study conducted by experts at IIT Delhi, mending potholes, repairing unpaved roads, and removing waste dumps can cut city pollution by 15 to 25%. — Another study conducted by experts at IIT Kanpur found that strategies such as vertically covering construction areas and using water spray and windbreakers to prevent building materials such as sand from dispersing can improve air quality by up to 50%. Conclusion: — NCAP was launched in 2019 and encompasses 131 cities. The goal is to reduce particulate matter pollution by 40% by 2025-26 or achieve National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The 131 communities in 24 states, known as non-attainment cities, were chosen because they failed to fulfil national air quality criteria for five consecutive years between 2011 and 2015. (Source: Delhi's clean air programme should focus first on air quality monitoring, checking dust emissions, Delhi's PM 10 levels highest in FY 2024-25 among cities covered under clean air programme: New analysis) Points to Ponder Harmful effects of PM 10 and PM 2.5 on health? Preventive measures for air pollution Related Previous Year Questions Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India's National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve revised standards? (2021) What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the government of India? (2020) QUESTION 2: Critically analyse how climate change-induced glacier retreat in the Himalayas is exacerbating the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), and suggest mitigation strategies at the community and policy levels. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — 'The Himalayas are sounding an alarm,' the Union Environment Minister warned during a climate meeting in Kathmandu. 'As a consequence of global warming due to human activity, glaciers are retreating, threatening the future of water security for populations downstream.' — Scientific studies have long demonstrated that climate change is causing Himalayan glaciers to melt at an unprecedented rate, affecting water resources, agriculture, and livelihoods. — Rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, growing human-wildlife conflict, depleting water sources, and an alarming increase in landslides, floods, heatwaves, forest fires, and droughts are quickly becoming the new normal in the Himalayan region. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: — According to a 2019 study published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances, 'glaciers across the Himalayas experienced significant ice loss over the past 40 years, with the average rate of ice loss twice as rapid in the 21st century compared to the end of the 20th century.' — Himalayan glaciers are constantly disappearing due to global warming, resulting in the formation of artificial lakes known as GLOFs. When they burst, they cause mayhem. In October 2023, Sikkim's South Lhonak Lake produced a severe flood in the Teesta River region. It completely destroyed the Teesta III hydropower dam and caused extensive damage. — A similar GLOF was behind the 2013 Kedarnath floods, which killed over 6,000 people. Another disaster struck Uttarakhand's Chamoli district in 2021, when an ice-rock avalanche caused flash floods that killed over 200 people and destroyed hydroelectric infrastructure. — Scientists and environmentalists predict that such floods will become more common in India's hill states as glaciers melt faster due to climate change. — According to the South Asia Water Initiative's report Monitoring of Glaciers, Climate, and Runoff in the Hindu Kush-Himalaya Mountains, remote sensing data estimates that Himalayan states such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh have approximately 7,500 glacier lakes. Of these, 190 are rated as 'very high' risk of producing a GLOF. Conclusion: Mitigation strategies — Experts say that top-down solutions are failing. 'Multinational consultancies are being brought in to tackle problems that require local understanding, while the knowledge and experience of local communities are being overlooked. This approach must change. — Infrastructure development also needs a major shift. There is no need for the large-scale infrastructure projects; instead, small-scale, sustainable development is the key. — Tourism should be decentralised, focusing on lesser-known destinations rather than building up major hotspots. There is a need to adopt a policy that ties conservation with livelihood generation. (Source: How climate change and rapid development are pushing the Himalayan region to the brink) Points to Ponder Impact of climate change of water bodies in India How climate change affects agriculture? Related Previous Year Questions The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a global sea level rise of about one metre by AD 2100. What would be its impact in India and the other countries in the Indian Ocean region? (2023) Discuss global warming and mention its effects on the global climate. Explain the control measures to bring down the level of greenhouse gases which cause global warming, in the light of the Kyoto Protocol, 1997. (2022) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 104) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 105) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 104) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 105) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 104) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 105) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.

UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Result Expected Soon, Check Cut-Off Trends and CSAT Analysis
UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Result Expected Soon, Check Cut-Off Trends and CSAT Analysis

Hans India

time6 hours ago

  • Hans India

UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Result Expected Soon, Check Cut-Off Trends and CSAT Analysis

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is expected to announce the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025 results soon. The exam was held on May 25, 2025, at various centres across the country. Once released, the results will be available on the official website — The PDF will include the roll numbers of candidates who qualify for the UPSC CSE Mains 2025. Past Year Trends for Reference Looking at previous years: In 2024, the exam was held on June 16, and the result was declared on July 1. In 2023, the exam took place on May 28, and the result came out on June 12. Based on this pattern, the 2025 results are expected by mid to late June. Cut-Off Trends From 2024 Last year, the cut-off marks increased, indicating tougher competition. The cut-offs were: General Category: 87.98 OBC: 87.28 EWS: 85.92 This shows that aspirants needed higher scores to qualify for the next stage. CSAT 2025 Seen as Most Difficult Experts said the CSAT 2025 paper was very difficult — maybe the hardest in the past few years. Normally, the CSAT paper is only used to check if a candidate qualifies (passes). But this year, it was so tough that it worked more like a test to remove (eliminate) many candidates. The paper had a few tough questions on reading comprehension, logical thinking, and data analysis. Even students who had prepared well found it very challenging.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store