eVidyaloka, a nonprofit working for rural education in India, has announced the roll out its Readathon Campaign reaching over 14,600 students from 636 government schools across rural India, including locations such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Odisha, West Bengal and Assam. The first session, began on Children’s Day and is still continuing, facilitated by the eVidyaloka volunteers.
In rural India, where reading is often limited to academic texts, the Readathon campaign aims to break this barrier by showcasing how reading can broaden students’ understanding of new ideas, cultures, and perspectives. Through carefully selected books, the campaign focuses on themes like empathy, imagination, cultural heritage, and social values. Interactive activities such as roleplays, vocabulary-building exercises, and games enhance the learning experience, while printed storybooks ensure students can continue their reading journey beyond the campaign.
This initiative reflects eVidyaloka’s mission to foster curiosity, imagination, and personal growth, making reading a cornerstone for lifelong learning. eVidyaloka believes that reading not only enhances literacy but also nurtures creativity and critical thinking—skills essential for holistic development.
During the first session of the Readathon, schools connected for a virtual story-reading session. Mrs. Suguna Mohan, a long-standing volunteer teacher with eVidyaloka, led an interactive read-aloud session that brought the story to life. Guests included Ms. Veena BM, Vice President of R&D at Signify Innovation Labs, who served as the Chief Guest and inspired students with her words of encouragement urging students to explore the world through literature. The campaign also included a series of activities such as art and crafts, magic shows, and puppet shows, all designed to engage rural students in meaningful and enjoyable learning experiences.
“We are committed to building a culture of reading in rural India, where literacy can unlock limitless possibilities. Through initiatives like the Readathon, we hope to make reading a source of joy and inspiration for every child. Every student who discovers the magic of books is a testament to the transformative power of education.” said Ms. Brinda, CEO, eVidyaloka.
Encouraged by the overwhelming impact and the interest in the children to read these books by themselves, eVidyaloka is extending the readathon campaign as an annual campaign adding more books and activities to this campaign.
