Beyond The Guardian: What Is Really Happening With India’s Reading Culture

After a controversial article by The Guardian questioned India’s reading culture, this episode of Not Your Aunty asks a simple question. Is India really not reading, or are we just reading differently? Kiran Manral and Shunali Khullar Shroff go beyond the headline narrative and look at what is actually happening on the ground. From packed crowds at Jaipur Literature Festival to massive footfalls at the Kolkata Book Fair, the lived experience tells a far more complex story. In this episode, we explore: • Why regional language publishing is booming • How literature festivals are actively creating new readers • The rise of book clubs, translations and cross language readership • The disappearance of lending libraries and what that shift really means • Whether cheap internet and doomscrolling are reshaping attention spans • Why independent bookstores like Atta Galatta still see powerful reader engagement India publishes nearly 90,000 new titles annually and remains one of the largest publishing industries in the world. So are we witnessing decline, or transformation? This episode looks at India’s storytelling legacy, the economics of publishing, the cultural power of lit fests, and why books may be thriving in ways that traditional metrics fail to capture. Watch till the end for a nuanced, ground level perspective on India’s reading culture. #NotYourAunty #ReadingCulture #IndianPublishing #LitFests #BooksOfIndia About Us: 🌟 Not Your Aunty Podcast 🎙️ | Parenting 👪 Relationships 💑 Body Positivity 💛 Get ready to laugh out loud with the hilarious "Not Your Aunty" podcast! Hosted by the dynamic duo Kiran Manral and Shunali Shroff, this show tackles topics like parenting, relationships, social media, and societal expectations with wit, humor, and relatable stories. 👉 Discover fresh perspectives on careers, body image, and relationships 👉 Unwind with entertaining banter and comedic timing 👉 Dismantle stereotypes and embrace body positivity Join Kiran and Shunali as they navigate the roller coaster of life, offering laughter and warmth with every episode. Subscribe now for a weekly dose of fun and honesty! #NotYourAuntyPodcast #ParentingPodcast #RelationshipAdvice #BodyPositivity #ComedyPodcast DISCLAIMER: The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the guests appearing on the podcast and do not reflect the views of Host (s) or Ideabrew Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (Ideabrew Studios). Ideabrew Solutions Pvt. Ltd., the hosts, and its respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, successors, assigns, employees, agents, directors, officers, and shareholders do not assume any liability or responsibility, nor do they endorse the views, information, or opinions expressed by the guest. Under no circumstances will Ideabrew Solutions Pvt. Ltd. or the hosts assume direct or indirect responsibility or liability arising from the views, information, or opinions expressed by the guest, including but not limited to claims for defamation, libel, slander, infringement, invasion of privacy and publicity rights, obscenity, pornography, profanity, fraud, or misrepresentation. Ideabrew Solutions Pvt. Ltd. or the hosts have no control over or endorsement of the views, information, or opinions expressed by the guest. They serve merely as distributors/interviewers, acting as passive conduits for the distribution of this podcast. Ideabrew Solutions Pvt. Ltd. or Hosts do not warrant that the views, information, or opinions expressed in the podcast are accurate, complete, or true. Any views or opinions expressed in the podcast are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, or individual.