The ancient Tamil classic Thirukkural, poems penned by nationalist poet Subramania Bharathi and English-Tamil-English dictionaries are the most popular books among many first-generation learners of Auroville.
The 7 annual children’s book fair that opened at Ilaignarkal School with the support of the Auroville Foundation on Thursday saw a large number of children from Udhavi School and many workers from Auroville walk in.
P. Yugasri, a student of Transition School in Auroville, who bought four books, said this was just the first set that she chose.
“The exhibition is there for 10 days, I will surely go again with my parents. I chose a book of short stories, one on riddles and another on shapes,” she added.
Udhavi School teacher Thavachelvi, who had gone with her students, said that she had also chosen around 15 books for her section.
“Many students selected the books and said they will go back with their parents to buy more. The books are not very costly and so many buy them,” she said.
R. Meenakshi of the Tamil Heritage Centre, who is organising the fair, said the exhibition was meant for the hundreds of first and second generation learners.
“Apart from the time spent at school or playing, they sit in front of the TV… we want to wean them away from the idiot box and let them read for pleasure too.
Many school drop outs too come to the fair as we have books for adults too. Many children pick books for their parents,” she explained.
Every afternoon a book review-cum-reading session is also held for volunteers and writers.
DiscountThe exhibition, which is on till February 28, offers a discount of up to 15 per cent on all books.
