Doha: As the academic year for Indian schools in Qatar is coming to an end, a Pusthak Mela (book exhibition) is being organised in Doha to facilitate exchange of academic textbooks and story books among students.

Kerala Women’s Initiative Qatar (KWIQ) and Bright Education Centre have launched this initiative, where academic textbooks, reference or guide books, question papers, story books and novels can be exchanged for free.

The exchange programme will happen on March 29 from 2pm to 6pm at the Bright Education Centre in Hilal.

Used academic textbooks of CBSE Syllabus from Grade 3 and above of Indian Schools in Qatar in good condition will be accepted. All other books – encyclopedia, dictionaries, novels, cookbooks, story books – that are in good condition will be accepted.

Members of KWIQ have formed collection centres across the city – Madina Khalifa, Old Airport, Bin Omran, Thumama, Hilal, Wakra, Mesaimeer, Barwa Village – where books can be dropped off before March 27. “Residents can deliver the books before March 27 at these drop points or get them to the Centre on March 29 itself,” said one of the members.

This is the second edition of book exchange programme and last year there were quite a few extra books that were distributed among the needy. For details on collection centres, residents can contact 55656599 / 33771644.