Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhanon January 1, 2022, launched a 100 days reading campaign ‘Padhe Bharat’. The launch of 100 Days Reading Campaign is in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 which emphasises on promotion of joyful reading culture for children by ensuring availability of age appropriate reading books for children in local/mother tongue/regional/tribal Language.
Pradhan while launching the campaign underlined importance of reading that children need to develop to ensure continuous and lifelong learning. He also said that the habit of reading, if inculcated at an early age, helps in brain development and enhances imagination and provide a conducive learning environment for children.
Pradhan emphasised that reading is the foundation of learning, which motivates students to read books independently, develops creativity, critical thinking, vocabulary, and the ability to express both verbally and in writing. It helps children relate to their surroundings and real life situation, he added. He stressed on the need to create an enabling environment in which students read for pleasure and develop their skills through a process that is enjoyable and sustainable and which remains with them for life, according to a PIB release.
He shared the names of the 5 books that he picked to begin reading. He encouraged everyone to adopt the habit of reading books and urged all to share what they are reading along with suggestions.
Padhe Bharat campaign will focus on children studying in Balvatika to Grade 8.The reading campaign will be organised for 100 days (14 weeks) starting from January 1, 2022, to April 10, 2022). The reading campaign aims to have participation of all stakeholders at national and state level including children, teachers, parents, community, educational administrators etc. One activity per week per group has been designed with the focus on making reading enjoyable and build lifelong association with the joy of reading. This campaign has also been aligned with the vision and goals of foundational Literacy and Numeracy mission.
The 100 days reading campaign will also focus on Indian languages including mother tongue/local/regional languages. It is in this regard, that February 21, which is celebrated as International Mother Tongue Day, has also been integrated with this campaign. This day will be celebrated with the activity of Kahani Padho Apni Bhasa Main (Reading story in own language) across the country by encouraging children to read in their mother tongue/local language. This will help in promoting local language and culture of our society.
