In the early morning light of Nagpur, a group of determined young students makes its way along the banks of the Pili river. Their destination is not a typical college or coaching class, but one of the city's most unconventional public spaces: a library and study centre built within the premises of a crematorium.
An Oasis of Silence Amidst the City
At the Nari Takshashila Nirvan Ghat in North Nagpur, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) operates a two-storey, 5,000-square-foot facility that has become a sanctuary for youth preparing for India's toughest competitive examinations. In neighbourhoods where cramped living conditions and constant noise are the norm, this centre offers a rare luxury: profound silence.
The environment is uniquely serene. Shielded from traffic and enveloped by nearly 1,500 trees—including neem, pipal, bamboo, amla, bel, and coconut—the slow flow of the Pili river creates an atmosphere more akin to a retreat. The occasional sound of a crackling wooden pyre or subdued sobbing from the adjacent funeral grounds does little to disturb the contemplative calm. Two old wells and a modest idol of Lord Shiva add to the stillness of the place.
The idea was first proposed by former corporator Manoj Sangole, who believed the youth of North Nagpur needed access to a peaceful study environment more than a conventional library. "A crematorium is usually associated with endings," Sangole says. "But this place could give young people a chance to begin." The proposal gained support within the civic body and was executed in 2017 during the tenure of then standing committee chairman Dayashankar Tiwari.
More Than Just a Building: A Platform for Dreams
Constructed at a cost of Rs 92 lakh, including furniture and electrical fittings, the centre is practically equipped with tables, chairs, lighting, and power points. The NMC also provides 18 daily newspapers, a critical resource for current affairs preparation. Interestingly, the library does not stock books; students bring their own study material, a fact that has not reduced its popularity.
Every day, between 25 to 30 students utilise the space, diligently preparing for a range of exams including NEET, UPSC, railways, banking, and defence services. Rohit, a 23-year-old banking aspirant, is a daily visitor. "At home there is noise and constant disturbance," he shares. "Here, the environment itself forces you to focus."
For Priya, who is preparing for railway exams, the location felt unusual at first. "But once you sit here, you realise how calm it is," she explains. "It doesn't feel morbid. It feels motivating."
Growing Success Stories and Future Expansion
The green surroundings are an integral part of the experience. During breaks, students walk along the riverbank, use the green gym installed on the premises, or simply sit under the trees. "It clears your head," says UPSC aspirant Ankit. "You come back to your desk with a fresh mind."
This unique study centre is already producing results. Vipin Lamsonge, a former regular, has secured a railway job, while Deepak Khorgade has been selected for the Indian Navy. Caretaker Meena Khaparde notes that student numbers fluctuate as batches move on to their careers. "Many who studied here are now employed," she states proudly.
Current regulars include NEET aspirant Samayak Sangode from Kadu Layout, Class 12 student Anshul Rangari, who calls it "the most peaceful place I have ever studied in," and science graduate Piyush Borkar, who uses the space for railway exam preparation.
Sandhya Nagdeote, who oversees the facility, clarifies its purpose. "This place was developed to give students of North Nagpur a platform to chase government jobs," she says. "Books can be arranged individually, but silence cannot."
The centre operates from 7 am until 6:30 pm to 7 pm. With a Rs 25 lakh proposal pending for two additional sheds, the facility may soon expand. In its current form, however, the library along the Pili river stands as a powerful testament to civic imagination—proving that spaces associated with finality can be transformed into fertile ground where new futures are built.
