Where did the idea come from?
Shailaja Asawe, a niece of Bhavana’s mother, often shares a proud and cherished memory with me. She recounts the day Bhavana was born, proudly exclaiming that as a 10-year-old girl, she was one of the first to lay eyes on the newborn. Every time we meet, Shailaja fondly reminisces about that day, relishing in the joy and wonder of witnessing the arrival of a new life into the world.
Shailaja’s father, Shri Ramnarayan Manudhane, passed away in 2012. In his memory, the family established a trust named the RG Manudhane Foundation for Excellence, which funds education, healthcare, and community work for women. The foundation is commonly known as the Motivation for Excellence Initiative (MFE). It was created as a legacy to society by the late R.G. Manudhane (1921-2012), a self-made man who exemplified values-based excellence in his life’s work.
Shailaja, along with her younger sister Nilima Raghavan, a Stanford-based paediatrician, and her brother Aninash, a New York-based finance professional, oversee the foundation’s activities. MFE focuses on ‘Education & Training’ and ‘Health-Care & Well-being.’ The foundation selects and funds programmes in these areas, typically run by partner organizations such as NGOs.
Suman Tai Bang, Shailaja’ aunt and resident of Alodi village in Wardha, passed away at the age of 93 in 2020. She was a dedicated and selfless activist who spent her life working on women’s issues in villages. She was a prominent figure in the freedom struggle, having been jailed during that time, as well as during the emergency. Shailaja frequently visited Suman Tai in Wardha, and I have known her for a long time since I got married to Bhavana. Shailaja would visit her aunt regularly and also spend time with us during her visits to Wardha. Once, she was on the verge of taking over as secretary of the Kasturba Health Society but ultimately didn’t.
Shailaja, a well-read and widely travelled philanthropist with astute finance and management skills, expressed her interest in funding the MGIMS library during one of her visits to Wardha. She set aside 2.5 crores for the project. As it turned out, Ms Sheetal Gandhi, a conservation architect with over two decades of experience in architectural restoration and preservation, was a close friend of Shailaja and lived in the same area at Hiranandani Gardens in Powai. Shailaja was impressed by Sheetal’s previous works such as St Thomas Cathedral in Mumbai, IIIM Ahmedabad, and Rajabai Clock Tower and the University of Mumbai Library. Thus, she approached Ms Sheetal to design, plan, and monitor the library work, and Sheetal readily agreed to take on the task.
Thus, the construction of the state-of-the-art library began, with Ms. Sheetal Gandhi at the helm of the design and planning process. I was thrilled about the project, as ever since I joined MGIMS in 1982, the library had become my second home. I had spent countless hours in the library, pouring over textbooks and journals. In fact, it was a popular rumour on campus that if I was not found in the hospital or at home, I could surely be located sitting at my favourite desk in the library, browsing through one of the many medical journals.
The library had been a constant source of knowledge and inspiration for me, and I was eager to see it transform into a state-of-the-art facility.
Sheetal Gandhi was thrilled to be tasked with designing a state-of-the-art library in the space once occupied by the Ob Gy ward at MGIMS. Her goal was to preserve the old architecture while introducing new concepts and designs that would create a space that was not only functional but also visually stunning.
Summing up
On her website, she explained her approach to designing the library:
“This project involved the conversion of a four-decade-old Obstetrics and Gynecology department into a modern-day library, the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Library. The project was conceptualized in 2016 and implemented over the course of two years, concluding in 2018. I dedicated countless hours over this period to closely monitor the entire process. Additionally, I was intricately involved in every aspect, from the design and concept to the actual use of the library.
The library spans over 16,000 square feet and has been designed to meet the requirements of 21st-century users with a focus on incorporating technology and flexible spatial design. In addition to providing individual reading spaces, the library also includes lounges and collaborative spaces to accommodate up to 400 scholars. Other features of the library include an audio-visual room, a computer section with seating for 50, a reprography area, a secure archival storage space for books, theses, and journals, and a cafeteria. With the electronic RFID system in place, scholars can easily check in and check out books on their own.”
Older order Changeth, Yielding Place to New…
Harshal Deora, a new addition to the engineering and maintenance department of the organization, proved to be the perfect choice to assist Sheetal during the library construction project. With his young legs, inquisitive brain, and hunger for learning new things, Harshal was always ready to go the extra mile to meet the project deadlines and solve any unexpected problems that arose. He often provided innovative ideas that impressed Sheetal and helped to improve the project’s outcomes. His contributions were invaluable to the project’s success.
To begin, Sheetal made sure to retain the original features of the space, such as the high ceilings, arched doorways, and large windows that allowed ample natural light to flood the room.
As the library construction project began, the team faced the daunting task of transforming the old Gynecology and Obstetrics ward into a modern library. Months of work lay ahead, as they set about dismantling everything in sight. They started by taking apart the labour room, one brick at a time, until nothing but rubble remained. The operating theatre was next, its once sterile walls and floors now a distant memory. The team dismantled the faculty chambers, stripping away the layers of paint and plaster that had accumulated over the years.
The private wards were next, their once comfortable beds and curtains now removed. The team worked tirelessly, dismantling every last piece of furniture, leaving only the bare walls standing. Even the old toilets were not spared, dismantled and removed to make way for the new library.
As the dismantling continued, the noise and dust became unbearable, making the Pathologist who worked downstairs become furious. They repeatedly complained, asking that labour work only during the night to avoid disturbing their work. The team kept on working, knowing that it had a goal to achieve.
The process was long and arduous, requiring several trucks to clear the debris. The dust and debris that filled the air made it difficult for the team to see and breathe. But they soldiered on, fuelled by their determination to create a state-of-the-art library for MGIMS.
As the final walls came down, the team looked back at what they had accomplished. The old Gynecology and Obstetrics ward was gone, replaced by an empty shell, ready to be transformed into a modern library. The team knew that their hard work had paid off, and that their efforts would benefit the students and faculty of MGIMS for years to come.
Sheetal got small and dingy old windows of the library removed and replaced them with large, expansive windows that flooded the library with natural light and views of the surrounding lush greenery. The library was now transformed into a spacious and inviting space.
Renovation
The lighting in the library was designed to be versatile, with natural light utilized during the day and artificial lights used at night. The air conditioning system was also carefully planned to maintain an optimal temperature, especially during hot summer days.
She selected elegant chairs and desks from Amardeep Agencies, Mumbai that were not only comfortable but also functional for studying and research purposes. The Italian-inspired concept was tailor-made for MGIMS, with vivid colours incorporated into the design. She chose shades of green, orange, and blue to designate specific areas for graduate students, postgraduates, and faculty members. Each desk was equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity and charging ports for laptops, ensuring seamless access to technology.
To accommodate the vast collection of thick medical textbooks and journals, Shailaja incorporated large, open bookshelves that were so inviting. Additionally, she asked Godrej to design mobile compactor storage systems that could store close to 20,000 hard-bound medical journals and theses dating back to as early as 1970. The storage systems were specifically designed for the MGIMS library. A designated computer area was also added to provide students and faculty with access to online resources and databases. To ensure optimal comfort, the library was equipped with carefully planned air conditioning and adjustable lighting systems.
Sheetal hired Amar agencies from Mumbai to create signages for the library. She carefully selected the colours and fonts to ensure that visitors received clear directions and knew what lay ahead.
To further enhance the user experience, a small, inviting cafe was added to the library, where visitors could take a break and grab a quick bite to eat. The restrooms were designed to be spacious, well-lit, and easily accessible.
The library was situated on the first floor of the hospital building, and the staircase leading up to it was 30 feet high. Sheetal’s design was aimed at reducing the effort required to climb the stairs. Each riser was 30 inches wide, allowing visitors to place two steps on it, making the climb considerably easier.
Murals
Sheetal got help from Aparna Bangia and Pooja Bangia to design the outside of the library. They used a concept called the “Golden Ratio”, which means two things are in perfect proportion if the bigger thing divided by the smaller thing is the same as the sum of both things divided by the bigger thing. Sheetal designed two beautiful murals called ‘The Sacred Spiral’ and ‘Seeds of Light’ to decorate the library. ‘The Sacred Spiral’ mural was made to attract good energy from the universe and create a peaceful environment. The ‘Seeds of Light’ mural had circles or seeds that showed the blueprint of the universe, and it was placed on the wall along the main staircase leading to the library. The murals had metallic hues that reflected sunlight and were beautiful to see at night. They gave a peaceful feeling to the students and people visiting the library.
The murals served as a wonderful introduction to the vast knowledge and exciting exploration that awaits inside the library.
Gardens
We went beyond just the interior design and also tackled the areas surrounding the library. The ground leading up to the library was in a state of disrepair and looked unkempt. We had it thoroughly cleaned and carefully laid Kota stones on the ground, making sure to place the rough side up. A strip of lush lawn was placed between the stones, providing a natural break that enhanced the overall aesthetic of the space. To add more visual appeal, we planted three vibrant Frangipani trees in the centre of the lawn. We didn’t neglect the corners – lining them with Lantana, adding a touch of greenery and colour to the area.
Overall, Sheetal is extremely proud of the library she designed for MGIMS. The space successfully blends modern technology with the charm of heritage architecture, creating a beautiful, functional, and inviting space—perfect for learning and research.
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What is in a name….
On 17 April 2018, on behalf of MGIMS, I invited suggestions for the name of newly renovated library. We were looking for a name that inspires and motivates our students, faculty, and healthcare workers.
My Facebook post, targeting MGIMS alumni, read:
Names. They are important. For, they conjure up feelings, emotions, and even expectations.
We, at MGIMS, are about to offer a new library to the medical students, members of the faculty and our healthcare workers. We are excited the way the library is shaping. Now that we are almost all set to deliver the baby—the gestation period of the re-designed library was no less than that of an elephant— we would like the MGIMS library to be named after. The choices are— a scientist, a researcher, an academician or a physician—not necessarily in that order.
We are seeking a name that enthuses and motivates the bibliophiles, as they climb the staircase of the library. A name that evokes respect and reverence among book lovers.
Naming is difficult. We are aware of the challenges and difficulties that this task is associated with. Nevertheless, we shall be happy to see all those associated with MGIMS helping us name the library.
After considering popular choices such as Anandibai Joshi, Kadambini Ganguli, Y Subbarao, Dr Sushila Nayar, Dr VN Chaturvedi, Dr MVR Reddy, Dr ML Sharma, Babasaheb Ambedkar, and Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, we decided to name the library after Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
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Inauguration
The library was officially inaugurated by Dhirubhai on July 24, 2018, but unfortunately, neither the donors nor the architect were invited to attend the event. Shailaja had expressed her wish for Suman Bang to represent her family and participate in the inauguration ceremony on her behalf. However, the management did not agree to this request and did not extend an invitation to the donors.
It was indeed unfortunate that the donors and the architect were not invited to the library’s inauguration ceremony. This decision weighed heavily on my mind, and I felt embarrassed about it. I regretted that the individuals who had contributed significantly to the library’s creation were not acknowledged. I found it hard to understand the reasoning behind these decisions and wished that the donors and the architect had been recognized for their efforts.
The local newspaper quoted me saying, “A library is like a beautiful, verdant island in the midst of a vast sea of ignorance. The right mix of books and digital resources, along with the relaxed ambiance, beauty, and aesthetically designed spaces of the library, would surely whet the medical students’ appetite and inspire them to visit this repository of information, knowledge, and wisdom.”
As the Charge d’affaires of the project, I had worked tirelessly to achieve excellence, and the positive
