Children should be introduced to the world of books that go beyond the classroom, and the reading habit promoted among them, said speakers at a function organised here on Friday to hand over to schools and Kannur University the books that were donated by readers to The Hindu ’s book collection drive from April 25 to June 25.
The books are being given to the university and the libraries of government schools in Kozhikode, to help poor students. Amana Toyota that partnered The Hindu in this effort had sent cars to the houses or offices of donors to collect 6,500 books from across North Kerala.
Likening reading to weaving a cloth of different threads and colours, poet P.K. Gopi said that what one gained from books was finely woven knowledge on diverse matters. Books formed the basis of literacy. The art of writing was all about deftly stringing the alphabet into words and indelible sentences so that what the author wanted to convey remained etched in the minds of the readers.
Beyond curriculum
Every effort had to be made to encourage students to take to reading beyond their curriculum. “And, when a newspaper such as The Hindu brings such books to you, the effort gains that much more significance,” he said. The book collection programme helped in bridging the gap that kept poor students away from books, he said.
Handing over a few books to the poet to mark the donation to the institutions, Kannur University Vice-Chancellor M.K. Abdul Khader said reading was one habit that had no substitute. The Hindu and the organisations that partnered it had involved themselves in a very significant act of corporate social responsibility. “Kannur University has a very large library, but needs more books,” he said, thanking The Hindu for donating books to the library.
Recounting the two-month experience he and his staff members had, Amana Toyota managing director Abdul Jabbar said, “Every day, there was a steady inflow of books, with people calling up to say they wanted to be part of this drive to help poor students”.
The headmaster of Puthur U.P. School, where the event was held, said that though plenty of material was available online, it was not good enough to substitute books that provided knowledge and language skills. N.E. Manoharan, managing director of TBS Publishers, said his organisation was privileged to be a part of the programme to take valuable books to poor children.
Ruing a sharp decline in the reading habit among children, teachers of schools and office-bearers of parent-teacher associations thanked those who donated the books, calling it a timely gesture.
