A 30-year-old Kashmiri youth has reintroduced the concept of ‘books by kilo’ in Srinagar.
The initiative launched by Saniyasnain Chiloo, a young entrepreneur from Srinagar, has reignited the passion for books, promoting the culture of reading within the Kashmiri community.
“Books are sold for cheaper outside Kashmir or online platforms like Amazon, and hence people prefer to purchase from there. With the intention of convenience, the system of selling books per kilograms can make the life of students and youth of Kashmir easier. Everyone should enjoy the passion for reading at a lower price,” Saniyasnain Chiloo said.
He said that the concept aims to make literature more accessible and affordable for the local community, particularly the students and people facing financial restrictions.
Located near the iconic clock tower of Lal Chowk, across from the historic Tyndale Biscoe missionary school, Best Seller Book Shop offers a diverse range of genres, including Islamic studies, philosophy, fiction and non-fiction with 40 per cent of the books being international best-sellers.
Until recently, the bookshop primarily attracted elderly patrons, however, a notable transformation occurred when Sanaullah’s son, Saniyasnain, took charge in 2017 and decided to revamp the establishment.
Today, Bestseller welcomes both young and old bibliophiles, offering a diverse selection of literature.One section is dedicated to religious books, particularly Islamic literature.
Originally a ground-floor provisional store in Lal Chowk, Bestseller started modestly by Sanaullah Chiloo in 1985, stocking a limited range of Urdu and Kashmiri books alongside Islamic literature and stationery.
Over time, Sanaullah expanded the inventory to include books sourced locally and internationally, in both English and Urdu.
In 2017, Sanaullah invited his son Sani to join the family business. With an MBA from Pune, Sani brought fresh perspectives to the table.
He engaged with loyal customers, gathering feedback to understand their preferences and researching popular books in Srinagar.
management, Bestseller has evolved into a thriving cultural hub, bridging generations and offering a wide array of literature to the community.