Secunderabad reads: Embrace simple joys - quiet corners, good book, silent reading

HYDERABAD: Do you like to read? Do you live in Secunderabad or the surrounding area and want to read in a quiet and peaceful place? If yes, 'Secunderabad Reads' has established a silent reading community where all avid readers gather at A.S. Rao Nagar Park to relax and read in silence.

Inspired by a similar community at Cubbon Reads in Bangalore and the reading community at KBR Park (Hyderabad Reads), Secunderabad Reads was established with the aim of reviving the reading habit and making it a public affair, as well as normalising outdoor reading in Hyderabad.

Veera, a 26-year-old Sainikpuri Resident enjoys sunset while reading a book at AS Rao Nagar Park

The first chapter of Secunderabad Reads began on August 26, 2023. No registration is required; there are no set rules; you can come when you want, leave when you want, bring your favourite book and a mat, and enjoy reading.

A reader enjoys reading during the first chapter of Secunderabad Reads

"The idea was to have a community of like-minded individuals who enjoy reading; most of us read indoors or at cafes whenever time permits. So we thought of combining reading and the outdoors, hence the idea of a silent community, said Mieraj Begum, the founder of Secunderabad Reads.

"There are over 70 chapters of reading communities in Indian cities and around the world. We were inspired to start a Secunderabad chapter after knowing that we have one that meets at KBR Park, but due to the distance, it was not viable to meet and travel back and forth," she added.

"Our goal is to revive the reading habit, make it a public affair, and normalise reading outside in Hyderabad. There is no registration required, no hard and fast rules; come whenever you want, leave whenever you want, bring your favourite book, a mat, and start reading, " said Mieraj Begum, an IT analyst and Saket resident.

A group of readers posing after the first chapter of Secunderabad Reads

Veera, a 26-year-old Sainikpuri resident who took part in the first chapter of Secunderabad Reads, said, "My first experience at Secunderabad Reads was good and positive. Despite the fact that it was the first session, seven people attended. When Hyderabad reads started, it was on the other end of the city. So it's a bit of a hassle to travel that far for the sessions. Art as such is shifting to one part of the city actually. I'm speaking of this because I'm an arts practitioner. And most of the events happen in Hi-tech city, Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills and etc. So it's great to have something to start on this side of the city.

"Reading as a community allows for more opportunities to interact with different people and learn more about books and different genres. Most importantly, you can make a lot of new friends. I'll strive to maintain the consistency of attending at least three sessions every month. It was also well-organized. The curator had guided us to the location. And then we silently chose our spots to read and took a picture in the end, " he added.

The Secunderabad reading community not only strives to read together but also to engage in book discussions, including one-on-one friendly book discussions during a walk in the park, and invites all keen readers in Secunderabad to participate in the reading community every Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at A.S. Rao Nagar Park.

Inspired by Cubbon Reads, Hyderabad Reads

Secunderabad Reads is an initiative inspired by Cubbon Reads, a global silent reading movement initiated by Shruti Sah and Harsh Snehanshu in Bengaluru, involving thousands of readers through Instagram. The duo cycled to Cubbon Park, Bengaluru, and shared their reading experiences on Instagram, forming a movement that has since expanded to thousands of readers across the world.

Diverse people, from young students to people in their 60s, have joined these silent groups around the world, all with a common passion for reading and silence. There are many silent reading communities around the world, such as Dubai Reads, South Bombay Reads, Vijaywada Reads, Mysore Reads, Gurgaon Reads, Hyderabad Reads, Bessy Reads, Lodhi Reads, HSR Reads, Lalbagh Reads, Coimbatore Reads, and many others.