Navjivan - Never Again. Review on Navjivan Book Center - Mumbai

I have read so many reviews on books, here on MS, though I am not an avid reader, but I do encourage my lil one to read as often as he can. But this review is on my experience at a known book store, with which I felt would be my “Come Back” to MS.

It was in June this year, when we collected my son’s school books from his school for his new academic year. On reaching home I realized one of his English text book was missing, probably would have not been given to me or I would have left if in the school premises while I made two lots of them into two separate bags.

I checked with all the local shops in my area for this book, but none seem to store any ICSE books- strange though, I had no choice but to go back to the vendor Navjivan Book Center in Bandra Westsince the school had a tie up with them. I spent an entire day calling the store numbers but in vain. It only rang, or even if answered the person would keep me on hold for long and then disconnect. Finally the next day I went to the shop. I asked a senior at the counter, assumed him to be the owner since he is the one who comes to the school to distribute the books along with his staff. Upon me asking him about the book I was looking for, he said what about the other set of books.

I said I have those and only need this one. On hearing this, he seemed pretty annoyed, his face suddenly took a sour twist and he said to me “then go get it from where you got the rest of the books”, I was shocked and said, I got the rest of the books from you only at the school counter but this particular book was missed out, again to this he said very rudely “how can that be” we give all books in a plastic bag together and so how can this one book not be there. I too was irritated by now, so I replied him that wherever I took the book from, I need this book and am willing to pay for it, and am not asking for it for free. Now this person went another step ahead, he mocked me and repeated my statement “ m not asking it for free”.. even the other parents at the counter were really surprised at this behaviour, and I could hear many saying “Yeh to har saal ka rona hai” . I still waited at the counter since I needed the book and had no choice. He again looked at me and repeated “I am not going to give you the book even if I have it, go get it from where you got the rest of the books”. I had enough I said to myself and so with all my might and the loudest that I could be, I told him, listen I have paid by cheque for these books at the school and need this one particular book only, then showed him the list of the books that was given by them when I collected the books. On seeing the list he realized that he was being stupid for no reason. He then told me to wait for a while and then the book came to the counter.

What I failed to realize is that just because he thought I had not bought the rest of the books from him, since many parents opt to buy it directly and not from the school vendors, he was being so rude to me and he refused to give me the book. How should it matter to him, can we not go to a book store to buy just one book?? A shop known for its name in a well known area like Bandra, what’s the point having such a shop loaded with all that it needs to store, but the customers walk out with such a feeling, a feeling of “No Return”. I plan to bring this up at the PTA meeting (Parents Teachers Association) but I know nothing much will change..

I was very upset as I could see how petrified the other parents were after seeing how he behaved with me.. Worst is when I came out of the shop my lil boy, said mama this uncle was so rude to you na ? I could see how let down he felt seeing his mama being insulted.. I told him I will never come to this shop again….