Navi Mumbai, October 15, 2024: Honoring the memory of Bharat Ratna Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, India’s former President and renowned scientist, over 400 schools in Navi Mumbai came together to celebrate Reading Inspiration Day. As per the government directive, Dr. Kalam’s birth anniversary is observed as a day dedicated to promoting a love for reading and fostering a culture of lifelong learning among students.
Under the guidance of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde, the education department instructed all schools within the municipal area, including the 429 schools across various mediums and managements, to organize activities encouraging reading habits among students.
On this occasion, students and teachers across numerous schools paid tribute to Dr. Kalam’s portrait before participating in various reading-related activities. Schools made available a wide range of books, including collections of stories and poems by various authors, for students to explore. In several schools, sections of books were read aloud, followed by discussions where students answered questions based on the readings, fostering comprehension and critical thinking.
In addition to public readings, some schools organized lectures and competitions centered around literature. Teachers, parents, and students were all encouraged to actively engage in these activities. An innovative approach was seen in schools that conducted “cyclonic reading,” where different parts of a book were read out by various participants in a collaborative format.
As part of the celebrations, some schools also organized book exhibitions, inspired by a successful event held on September 2 in the Koparkhairane village area, which saw overwhelming participation from students and parents alike.
The initiative of gifting books on birthdays, an ongoing practice in both municipal and private schools, was further highlighted during these celebrations. This gesture is seen as a way to nurture a love for reading. Many schools have invested in purchasing books that serve as valuable resources for students and made them available for regular reading.
Through these diverse programs, the focus was on fostering a genuine love for books and encouraging students to become lifelong readers. Along with promoting reading, the importance of balanced use of smartphones and computers was emphasized. The idea was not just to limit reading activities to one day but to instill in students the habit of daily reading for personal growth and enrichment.
Over 2 lakh students from more than 400 schools across Navi Mumbai participated in the celebrations, inspired by the life and teachings of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. By reading his works and other books, students paid tribute to the legacy of a man who believed that knowledge has the power to transform lives.
