Books have to be both a window to the world and a mirror to yourself,” says Amrita Patwardhan, head of the education wing of Tata Trusts, as we sit down to chat in her office. We are talking about Parag, a Tata Trusts initiative focused on increasing children’s access to literature.
For over a decade now, Parag has been helping set up libraries in rural areas of the country where access to books is limited. They pick books that relate both to the children’s backgrounds and to the world at large, so that they can find themselves in the narratives even as they look outward.
Patwardhan cites Wings to Fly, published by Tulika, which tells the story of Malathi Holla, the para athlete, or Different Tales , a series that deals with themes such as caste discrimination. “We are also working with Kalpavriksh [a non-profit organisation], for a series on the environment,” she says.
The trust is now working with about 420 different schools across 10 States. Because of the Right to Education Act, most schools do have some kind of library, but their functionality is questionable. “Often, you will find books in a closed cupboard inside the principal’s cabin… or they may not be tailored to children’s reading abilities,” says Patwardhan.
This is where Parag steps in, creating functional libraries, adding to or creating a collection, trying to gauge children’s reading levels, fixing a lending pattern.
It also ensures that, where possible, the library is in a ventilated room, with easy-to-reach bookshelves. Sometimes, low tables, mats and softboards are provided, but they are not a must. “You can, of course, manage with a string — one to hang books on. We have those kinds of libraries as well,” says Patwardhan.
Book hospitals
How are the books selected? Any given language has a panel of up to five experts, who review and decide on the books. The collection is revised every 18 months to judge if more books should be added. Parag has collaborated with several publishers for books in Hindi, English, Urdu and a few tribal languages including Mundari, Bhilori and Pawri.
While setting up libraries, two days are devoted to orienting teachers with the collection. “We feel this is very important because unless the teacher also becomes a reader, it’s very difficult to excite a child about books,” says Patwardhan.
Book hospitals
Teachers are trained to conduct read-aloud sessions, book-talks and activities like cover-making and book-mending — children are encouraged to form small ‘book hospitals’ to repair damaged books. Patwardhan says that children from non-literate backgrounds need especially trained teachers.
Parag has also been trying to create avenues for young writers and illustrators. In the last two years, they have started a library education course and Riyaas, a one-year course on illustrating for children. “Illustrators need guidance as well as work. They need remuneration.”
The Big Little Awards was instituted in 2016 with this objective in mind. It selects one language each year and awards a writer and an illustrator from that language. The languages selected so far have been Marathi and Bengali.
“Being able to read critically, read between the lines, compare multiple sources of information and find out what is authentic — these are the skills required in the 21st century,” says Patwardhan.
A freelance journalist, the writer specialises in literature, culture and the arts.
