Padhe Bharat campaign to develop reading proficiency – Times of India

Padhe Bharat campaign aims to bring reading proficiency among first-generation learners which started on January 1, 2022. The campaign aims at inculcating a reading habit among students to help them enhance their vocabulary, critical thinking and enrich them with creative ideas. The initial five books that have been recommended for the reading are; Atomic Habits by James Clear, Little Book of Happiness by Ruskin Bond, Reflection by Swami Vivekanada, Chilika by K R Ray and Atonement by F M Senapati.

Speaking to Education Times, Bonny Bhansali, principal, The Green Acers Academy, Mumbai, which will start implementing this programme from January 10, says, “Padhe Bharat campaign would help the first-generation learners by providing them with an exposure to an environment of being proficient in reading English and other regional languages even while being at their home. Through this campaign, students would also develop a liking for the English language which will be a motivating factor for them.”

Last year in July, we organised a language and literacy week for all our students and planned activities meant to develop reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in English language. It is a good thing that this campaign focuses on students studying in preparatory classes to class VIII as these are the formative years to build language skills among students. Consistency and regularity in reading over 100 days will lead to a strong language foundational base.”
Reading fosters creativity, vocabulary, critical thinking and if it is thoughtfully aligned with several purposeful reflection activities, it will result in a maximum positive impact. “Reading ability is a stepping stone for fluency in spoken English. For instance, asking students to interpret how the character is feeling when they are reading a particular book or even predicting what happens next in the story. This activates their curiosity which serves the very purpose of teaching. We plan to share a post on Google classroom about Education Ministry’s Padhe Bharat initiative and will also share a list of recommended books,” he adds.

Kuldeep Singh, principal, Government Boys Senior Secondary School (GBSSS) Number 1, Adarsh Nagar says, “The first-generation learners find it difficult to identify alphabets and words. Teachers remain focused on completing the syllabus and the content which was written in the textbook without developing students’ reading skills.”

Shanti Krishnamurthy, director, Central Chinmaya Mission Trust Education Cell, Coimbatore says, “We will implement this initiative across all our schools. Reading is a progressive past time enhances creativity, sensibility and imagination. This habit is best formed during the elementary years in the life of a student.”