On the bustling streets in front of Dhaka University's Faculty of Fine Arts stands a humble mobile bookstall, an emblem of intellectual resistance.
Its curator, Madhumandal, shared his journey with The Financial Express, shedding light on the philosophy behind his unique endeavour.
"I conquered my ignorance through the power of books. From a young age, I harboured a desire to contribute to society, originally believing that law would be my vehicle for doing so. However, as I delved deeper into the world of knowledge, I realised that literature and learning offered an even more profound way to serve others. That's when I decided to commit my life to this path," said Madhumandal.
The genesis of the name 'Boipoka':
Madhumandal's early aspirations were a blend of artistry and law. Armed with only 500 taka and dreams of a bright future, he arrived in Dhaka to pursue his education.
"I enrolled at Dhanmondi Law College, and through the principal's reference, I secured a job. But soon after, I lost that position," he recalled.
At that critical juncture, a chance encounter near the Nazrul Memorial changed his trajectory. There, a student from Dhaka University was selling books, and Madhumandal poured out his troubles to him.
"I asked if I could join him in this work. He took me under his wing. From that moment, I was drawn into the world of books, and I never looked back. I devoured books like a 'bookworm,' and eventually, that became my identity," Madhumandal reminisced.
The 'movement of reading books' unveiled:
"Our goal is simple yet revolutionary. The books we offer, if read, will elevate people's minds, instill good judgment, foster decency, and nurture individuals who will neither harm others nor engage in wrongdoing. This, in turn, will help to reduce crime in society," Madhumandal asserted, describing what he calls the 'Movement of reading books.'
Yet, this intellectual uprising has not been without its struggles. Recalling his earlier efforts, Madhumandal shared how he once laid out a mat and set up an open-air bookstall in Chuadanga, which he dubbed Gyanagar (The Treasury of Knowledge). His noble intentions, however, were met with scorn from the locals. "After all your education, you're reduced to selling books on the street?" they mocked.
The harsh words eventually led him to close that chapter of his life.
A setback: The stolen van
In 2014, disaster struck. One fateful night, his entire book-laden van was stolen.
Undeterred, Madhumandal borrowed five to six thousand taka to begin anew, gradually repaying his debt, bit by bit.
"The van contained books worth Tk 50,000 to Tk 60,000. I filed a report with the police, but I never truly expected the van to be recovered. Till date, I've never managed to rebuild that inventory," he lamented.
More than a bookseller: A crusader of thought
Madhumandal's relationship with books transcends mere commerce. He doesn't view himself as a businessman but rather as an advocate for intellectual and moral transformation.
Unlike traditional book vendors, he rejects the idea of selling popular guidebooks for profit. Instead, he curates a collection designed to spark thought and challenge convention.
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