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Study hubs to replace libraries as preferred locations for pre-exam preparations in PuneBy Hindustan Times

The college students in the city used to head to libraries and study centres to concentrate on academics and prepare for the exams. Now, there is an emerging trend emerging where in ‘compact’ study centres are preferred by the students. These study centres housed in a residential apartment are taking the place of traditional libraries and bigger study centres.

New Maharashtra Abhyasika (study centre) at Sadashiv Peth near the Scout Grounds is an example of one such compact study centre. A three bedroom apartment on the second floor on the building has been converted into a study circle and as many as 80 students can be seated at the centre.

“In last few years, the number of students coming to Pune for the preparation of MPSC (Maharashtra Public Service Commission) and Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has increased. The students look for a silent and affordable place to study. The bigger study centres and libraries are crowded and the rates are also high. So, we started this study centre and we take nominal monthly fee from the students. We also have a 24-hour library,” said Ajit Gawande, coordinator of the New Maharashtra Abhyasika.

According to students, the monthly fees in the compact study centres range from Rs 600 to Rs 1,000. The fee depends on the facilities provided and these include Wifi connectivity, air-conditioned rooms and newspapers. The charges of the bigger libraries range from Rs 800 to Rs 3,000, they said.

Samarth Abhyasika on Bajiroa road, near Chinmya Ganpati chowk is a study centre which has come up recently. The three bedroom apartment is aptly furnished and interiors have been done up accordingly. One of the balconies has been converted into a small office of the study circle.

Mohan Mandkar, coordinator of Samarth Abhyasika said, “We have an air-conditioned library with a capacity of 80 students to sit. Facilities like drinking water, clean toilets and free wi-fi are given. Students want serene atmosphere and so they prefer to come to smaller study centres.”

Students reveal that there are many such study centres all over the city, though the number is more in the Peth areas. “For the last three years, I am in Pune preparing for MPSC exams. In the bigger study centres, students talk or while away time. The atmosphere is noisy and it is difficult to concentrate. I like these compact study centres as it has a silent atmosphere.”

Another student Vinodini Kore said, “Bigger study centres are not maintained well. I prefer a cleaner and smaller study centre.”

Both Gaikwad and Kore have graduated from rural parts of the state and are currently in Pune studying for Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) exams.

First Published: Mar 22, 2019 16:24 IST