Warmly lit and spacious, the newly opened Bengal Boi stands tall and proud in the far end of the busy Dhanmondi-27 road.

A new hub for book-lovers, this new venture of the Bengal Foundation aims to create a space for readers and also encourages the habit of reading. 

And with that aim in mind, the Bengal Boi offers people to take any book of their choosing by donating two old books.

The process is simple. People can bring two of their old books, donate it to the Bengal Boi and in return choose any book of any genre, said Manager Operations of Bengal Boi Golam Sarwar Faruqui.

Once people are done reading the book, then they can return it and take any other book of their own choosing, added Faruqui.

The donation of two books essentially kicks off a library membership process at the Bengal Boi.

Asked what happens if anyone does not return the book, Faruqui smiled and said, “Then, the donater can keep the book.”

People can also choose to give away their old books to the establishment. They will be displayed on the ground floor where people can sit and read, sip tea and eat Singara. 

The exchange offer that began on November 21, a week after the launch of Bengal Boi, will continue.

The response has been very positive, he said. “Even this morning, Bengal received a donation of 92 books from one young lady”.

This is being done so that more people are encouraged to donate books to the establishment, Faruqui said.