The famous British Book Depot brings down the curtain

The iconic bookstore of the city, British Book Depot shut down, marking the end of an era. Located in Hazratganj, the shop stood the test of time for over 90 years. Renowned personalities such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Atal Bihari Vajpayee have visited the British Book Depot. Over the decades the shop gained a reputation for offering the rarest of rare books.

The bookshop's proprietor, Suraj Prakash Kakkar, took over the reins from his father, the late Shanti Prakash Kakkar, who opened the store's doors in 1930. With more people now opting to read online, the recent pandemic gave a major blow to the shop. Adding to the woes, the book owner, Suraj Prakash Kakkar, who is currently 83 years old, also has been struggling with arthritis and hearing difficulties. “A big chapter in my life is over, this shop has been my whole life,” says Suraj Prakash Kakkar.
Since the passing of his wife, late Uma Kakkar, he has experienced an emotional turmoil. Kakkar's three daughters are living outside Lucknow and there is no one else who could take over the bookstore. Reminiscing, Shilpi Kakkar Madan, daughter of Suraj says, "This bookstore has been the focal point of his life, and his primary objective has been to disseminate knowledge. He always allowed people to spend as much time as they wanted with the books. On occasions when students couldn't afford certain books, he would generously permit them to borrow the book and make a photocopy of it.”

Feeling sad about the closure of the famous book shop, Manav Prakash of Universal Book Depot says “Suraj ji is an amazing human, British Book Depot was just near my shop, now that is closing, it feels like my neighbour has left, I am definitely going to miss the presence of British Book Depot.”
- Manas Mishra