Srinagar, April 19 -- The news came with a melancholic Ghibli-style illustration posted by owner Saniyasnain Chiloo: "a lone bookseller staring at empty shelves, surrounded by piles of rare and classic titles packed in cardboard boxes."

The image said it all-it was the final chapter of a 45-year-old legacy.

Located just a stone's throw away from Srinagar's iconic clock tower at Lal Chowk, 'Bestseller' wasn't just a bookshop-it was a cultural landmark, a haven for readers, and a place where stories lived and breathed.

But on a quiet Friday, Sani broke the news that the shop would be shutting down for good.

"Retail bookstores weren't the real threat-we had loyal readers who stuck with us. But everything changed when Flipkart and Amazon ...