An interesting book, a good cup of coffee and the hours can go by. We are not talking about the cafes in Hyderabad where, in the off-peak hours, you are likely to find someone poring over a book or working on a laptop. Think of a cafe attached to a bookstore that can transform into an adda for the exchange of ideas, reading recommendations or playing a board game. Qahveh Khaneh, the compact cafe at the entrance of Akshara Books in Journalists' Colony, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, is built on such a concept.
In the Middle East, Qahveh Khaneh refers to coffee houses where people socialise, exchange news and read. Abhilasha Atluri, the entrepreneur behind Hyderabad's Qahveh Khaneh, might have borrowed a Middle-Eastern name for her venture but she mooted the idea of starting a cafe attached to Akshara Books on returning from her college stint in the United States, where she saw Barnes and Noble bookstores adjacent to Starbucks.
Akshara is among the last few independent bookstores in the city. The store, set up in the 1990s, has changed a few addresses before it moved to its current location eight years ago. In its early years, Akshara set a precedent by hosting visiting authors in interactive sessions with readers. With the opening of Qahveh Khaneh in January 2022, the store has revived the hosting of small events, calling them ‘Guftagoos at QK’. A few photographs on a mood board in the cafe document vignettes of these events. There will be more. The idea is to let the books take precedence and create an atmosphere where readers interact with each other and the store personnel rather than making a quick purchase and moving away.
Akshara is an _____ book store.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → independent
The passage says "Akshara is among the last few independent bookstores in the city." An independent bookstore is one that is owned and run on its own, not as part of a large chain.
Example: The independent bookshop near our college is run by one family.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: optional — Incorrect. Not mentioned: optional means that can be chosen or left out. It does not describe a shop, and the passage does not use it.
Example: French is an optional subject in Class XI.
Option 3: artistic — Incorrect. Not mentioned: artistic means having to do with art, or showing skill in art. The passage does not call the store artistic.
Example: She has an artistic eye for colour.
Option 4: outstanding — Incorrect. Not mentioned: outstanding means excellent, much better than others. It is a word of praise; the passage describes the store as independent, not outstanding.
Example: He got an award for his outstanding work.