Book challenge to the aid of care home children
The Hindu
Over 15,000 books collected, with many celebrities contributing
Children of care homes of the State will now inhale the fragrance of fresh ink on paper, thanks to a book challenge. It’s 15,000 books and growing.
The children’s book challenge launched by the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KELSA) a few weeks ago witnessed people from various walks of life providing children’s literature.
Celebrity writers such as Shashi Tharoor, magician Gopinath Muthukad, judges of the Kerala High Court and district courts, public-spirited people, publishing houses, and lawyers have contributed to the cause.
Abridged versions of classics, fables from across the world, anthology of stories and poems, biographies of celebrities and world leaders are all in the collection. The district units of the authority took up the initiative of identifying donors and sourcing them to the child care institutions in their respective district.
The idea of the book challenge was mooted by the authority following a request from a child who attended an online legal awareness and outreach programme for children.
The formal inauguration of the release of books will be held on February 28 at the Kerala High Court.
Besides books, the participants also highlighted the need for a playground in Kozhikode, a library facility in Kottayam, and a football ground in Thiruvananthapuram. The demand of some children for a tab and educational aid were also met, said K. T. Nizar Ahamed, Member -Secretary of KELSA.