Pune's iconic book shop on East Street, Camp, running for more than seven decades now, Express Book Service has won the Best Book Store 2025 Award at the recently concluded 7th IRO Literary Festival held in Hyderabad, organized by The Food 4 Thought Foundation, a non-profit organization whose work was recognized, amongst others, by the honorable Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi in the 116th episode of Mann Ki Baat.
A Proprietor, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, and the First and Only Person to organize and execute a Sports-Centric Literary Festival hosting 42 Indian and International athletes to talk about books, Mr. Rohit Jerajani has been successfully running the legendary legacy of Express Book Service for decades. Started by his grandfather late Mr. Jamnadas Jerajani In 1972, his father, the late Mr. Manubhai Jerajani took charge of the Pune book shop which was visited by several dignitaries including Sardar Patel, Prime Jawaharlal Nehru, JRD Tata, and others. His father had such good relations with his customers that JRD Tata, his wife, and the Maharaja of Baroda were among the dignitaries who attended his wedding. Interestingly, the bookshop has a ‘Murthy’s Corner’ to commemorate frequent visits by the legendary Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy and his wife, Mrs Sudha Murthy, when they were courting before marriage.
Over the years, Mr. Rohit Jerajani has enlarged the activities of the bookshop by introducing ‘Books on Wheels’ and taking books to various companies in Pune; inviting authors to speak at events in Pune, organizing Lit Fests in Pune and abroad and organizing speed reading workshops for school children. Presently, he conducts more than 20 author sessions in Pune monthly. Booksellers across the country were facing serious threats from mobile phones in the hands of children and rampant book piracy offline and online, and to create awareness about this, Mr. Rohit Jerajani has been speaking on copyright and piracy at various platforms. He has spoken at ET Times, CNBC, Times network Etc.
Pune's iconic book shop on East Street, Camp, running for more than seven decades now, Express Book Service has won the Best Book Store 2025 Award at the recently concluded 7th IRO Literary Festival held in Hyderabad, organized by The Food 4 Thought Foundation, a non-profit organization whose work was recognized, amongst others, by the honorable Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi in the 116th episode of Mann Ki Baat. Express Book Service, under the capable leadership of Mr. Rohit Jerajani, has also been the proud winner of the title, ‘Best Family-run Business Establishment 2024’.
Q.1 How do you see the legacy of the Express Book Service?
RJ: Founded in the early fifties, EXPRESS BOOK SERVICE has been patronized by greats like Jawaharlal Nehru, Narayan Murty, Bhimsen Joshi, Jagjit Singh, Pankaj Udas, Raj Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Dimple Kapadia, Raghunath Mashelkar, R. Gopalakrishnan, J.R.D Tata, Ratan Tata, Simon Taufel. An illustrious author roster of over 4,000 authors who have been given a platform to present their books at various events organized by Rohit Enterprises/Express Book Service, it has been a journey of fulfillment and learning. We have also had many music albums and book launches at the shop over the decades.
Narayan Murty and Sudha Murty were regular visitors to the shop when they stayed in Pune. Our authors include R Gopalakrishnan, R Mashelkar, Narayan Murthy, Nandan Nilekani, Radhakrishnan Pillai, Harish Bhatt, Prakash Iyer, Ashok Soota, Rami Goldratt, John Elliot, Rujuta Diwekar, Simon Taufel, Shiv Khera, Ravi Venkateshan, Brett Lee, Gita Piramal etc. Having been in the family for three generations, Express Book Service continues to blend the rich cultural heritage of the city with a literary legacy.
Q.2 How have the challenges evolved in running a bookstore in the last seven decades?
RJ: The bookselling industry has undergone seismic changes over the decades. Drastically influenced by changing forces like globalization, digitization, convergence of industries, e-commerce, etc, there have been evolving challenges and newer solutions to align with the changes. Our core strength is customer loyalty and retention, we have managed to survive the odds and continue to flourish by keeping the essence of Express Book Service intact. Although online channels have brought that ease of ordering books, there is more guarantee of finding authentic and original works in bookstores. We are proud to host all genuine and authentic pieces and provide our customers, with the gratification of book surfing and book buying experience. A book stall was re-created inside a corporate house or shopping mall to create awareness for reading. Our interpersonal approach and person-to-person exchanges have kept our business not only surviving but also thriving in all aspects.
Q.3 As Express Book Service has seen the evolution of literature, how has the importance of bookstores been more crucial in modern times?
RJ: The bookstores provide that immersive experience of travel through time and space, invoking all senses and letting the readers feel through their senses. Providing the basic pleasures of being a reader and literary enthusiast, bookstores are an integral part of being human and evolving through the power of literature. Bookstores nurture the intensive and fulfilling browsing experience in enthusiastic readers, let them dip into a book and do sample reading before buying it, and provide on-the-spot expert advice or personnel recommendations from the booksellers. Besides a personal touch to book buying experience, bookstores open avenues for authors to get a forum to interact with their readers. To create awareness and educate children, I have been conducting speed reading classes regularly at Azam Campus over the years.
Flipping through those pages and immersing in the magical world of books will always be more effective and impactful as compared to digital book purchasing options.
Q.4 How has the initiative ‘Book on Wheels’ been a breakthrough innovation for the Express Book Service?
RJ: Fuelled by a passion for the writing world, Express Book Service came up with a new concept of the ‘Book of Wheels’. Catering to the needs of readers who do not live by bookstores or libraries, Book on Wheels helps reach those places where it is difficult to find libraries and establish a reading culture among people. Helping readers save their travel time in the hushed lifestyle, we give access to some quality books and reading experiences to people outside homes, bookstores, or libraries. Urging people to emerge from an all-pervasive social media, the concept has helped inculcate reading habits in people and has also given Express Book Service an innovative avenue to spread the love for books.
Q.5 How do you manage the expectations of the Book readers after having a bookstore that has been visited by eminent dignitaries?
RJ: An honest approach, personalized interaction, and creating lasting bonds with the customers are our USP. We have managed to have readers visit our stores through generations and for years. A rich cultural history, literary legacy, and passionate dedication have helped create a great network of friends, customers, clients, readers, authors, publishers, and literary enthusiasts. Our collection is exquisite with a diverse range of books in various genres by eminent names and prominent publishing houses. We organize monthly book talks in the city with an attendance of over 100. We publish a new releases book email that is sent to all customers every month and we also send a monthly newsletter of non-fiction books and daily new book updates to our regular readers. For nearly four decades Express Book Service has been taking part in the Bhimsen Sawai Gandhrv Music Festival, Swar Jhankar, etc. We have been the co-organizer of the Pune International Literary Festival, and have also been a part of the Lonavala Literary Festival, Khandala Literary Festival, Mumbai Literary Festival, and Panchgani Children’s Literary Festival. Children’s Literary Festival was also organized at over 25 schools in 2019. I can proudly say that I have been the first and only person to organize and execute a sports-centric literary festival, hosting 42 Indian and International athletes to talk about books. Over two thousand books and music albums have been launched at Express Book Service. Apart from India, we also organize literary festivals overseas.
Q.6 Having won the ‘Best Book Store 2025’, how do you see your responsibilities changing towards literary enthusiasts?
RJ: We recently won the prestigious ‘Best Book Store in India 2025’ award, and in the year 2024, we were the proud winner of ‘Best Family run Business Establishment’. Having been acknowledged with such honors and accolades, our motivation is boosted, however, our mainstream inspiration is always our happy and smiling loyal readers. Our service, passion, and dedication remain intact and so does the responsibility of carrying on the legacy of a vital element of the literary landscape. We are motivated to continue our efforts and endeavors to cater to the needs of our readers, writers, literary experts, illustrious clientele list, and publication houses.
Q.7 How has the post-Covid era changed the outlook towards bookstores?
RJ: During the pandemic, we organized virtual events with various authors and continued the momentum of connecting literary channels. Post-Covid, people have gradually fallen back to the trend of in-store book buying, and participating in events and activities. Customers have been visiting our bookstore for the last four generations, and this customer loyalty has always been our strength through all phases and stages.
Q.8 What would be your suggestion to the aficionados of literature?
RJ: It is important to determine your area of interest, read it aloud, take a moment to decide, and do not hesitate to explore diverse genres. Inculcate the habit of reading in the younger generations and always cherish the old traditional book reading experience for a wholesome feeling. Dive beyond your comfort zone with calculated measures, join book clubs, participate in literary activities and events, be a part of reading communities, interact with authors and writers, and find the hidden gems while you expand your horizons.
