Pustakanch Gaav
Pustakanch Gaav (English: "Village of Books") is a special library in Bhilar, Maharashtra that opened on May 4, 2017. The initiative was conceptualized and led by Vinod Tawde, Minister of Cultural Affairs and Marathi Language and inaugurated by Devendra Fadnavis, Ex.Chief Minister of Maharashtra. This government initiative is inspired by Britain’s Hay-on-Wye, a notable Welsh town known for its book stores. At the time of launch, there were 25 artistically decorated locations in Bhilar that are turned into spots for readers; collectively they housed over 15,000 books in 18 distinct genres. Most books were  in Marathi language and there were plans to add additional 25,000 books in other languages such as English, Hindi and Gujarati. On 2021 June 19, Perumkulam, Sri Lanka, a village in Kerala’sKollam district, was declared a Pusthaka Gramam (village of books) by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The announcement made on June 19, National Reading Day, makes it Kerala’s first such village. At the heart of the announcement is its library, Bapuji Smaraka Vayanasala. History. Planning. Bhilar, a village near Mahabaleshwar and [Panchgani], was finalized as the location; the long-term vision is to promote the destination as a  cultural and literary hub. Seventy five artists from across India traveled to Bhilar to creatively design 25 locations that were shortlisted as reading spots and exhibition centers. These locations include a temple, two schools, several houses and homestays.<ref>