Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 14 (ANI): Amid the current COVID-19 crisis in Maharashtra, a mobile book house is in operation in Mumbai's Sion area, which helps students to donate and take books for free.

The initiative is by a group which calls itself the Sion Friends Circle has been welcomed by students, most of whom are unable to purchase books due to their unavailability in the market.

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"I gave this mobile store books of class 7 and took from them books for class 9. It is becoming very difficult for us to study as books are not available in the market, shops are shut," said a student.

Speaking to ANI, Sarika, a parent said, "Classes are expected to resume but stationery shops are shut. I took books from them so that children can study at home. Students are unable to get books amid COVID-19 situation but this mobile book house is very beneficial."

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Ashok Kurme, a group member of Sion Friends Circle said, "We have named this store--free book house. Our group has taken this initiative with the aim of providing books to the people in need amid the current situation. We prepared a mobile book store which does not need any fuel to work, it's a handcart. We will move this store across Sion on a weekly basis."

A total of 3,427 new COVID-19 cases and 113 deaths were reported in Maharashtra on Saturday taking the total number of cases to 1,04,568 and toll to 3,830, state Health Department said. (ANI)

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