Logistics has been an interesting challenge for us at Let’s Open a Book. Given that the roads to Spiti Valley are extremely difficult, the question “how do we take books to Spiti” teases us every year. And each year we come up with interesting solutions to this problem.
The books are painstakingly researched and procured over a period of months. Then these are catalogued and packed. Each book is meant to serve a purpose; fill a gap in our existing collection. So when even one of these gets lost or damaged in transit, it is heartbreaking for us.
In the past we’ve tried several different options, including sending them via Himachal Roadways buses, India Post and local transporters. We’ve requested people who are driving down to Spiti to take a few boxes in their cars. And on one occasion, we even recruited the Indian Army to help us!
This year, we hired a camper (a pick-up van). We loaded 50 boxes of books, stationery, art supplies and toys (approx 1,000 kgs in weight) from our office in Dharmashala (Himachal). We secured the boxes with tarpaulin and thick rope to avoid any damage from rain.
It took us two days to reach Spiti (it was the driver and me). We stopped at small dhabas en-route for chai-parathas. We got stuck for three hours due to landslide. We listened to over 20 hours of music. And to top it all, since I have recently recovered from a leg injury, there was mild anxiety about covering the five-hour stretch of road which makes you feel like you’re sitting inside a mixer-grinder. This stretch also doesn’t have any phone/ internet network, so if you get stuck, it could be hours or even days before you can get help.
But in the end, it all worked out. I reached Spiti safe and sound, on Friday. And I’m happy to report that not even one single book was lost or damaged. Over the next couple of weeks, these books will be used to set up a free children’s library in Kaza (Spiti Valley), where children will explore the magic of reading.
P.S. This photo was taken at Batal (4000 mts), about halfway between Manali and Spiti.