Date:07/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/07/stories/2006010700770200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Bringing the world of books to students

Special Correspondent

Gnana Trust distributed storybooks to Hulikal schoolchildren

A HELPING HAND: Schoolchildren after the book distribution.

Bangalore: Books don't come easy to village children. When they do, they are exposed to a whole new world altogether. A world that can entertain them and inform them and teach them a lot about the planet they live in.

This came about as a pleasant surprise for the students of the Government Model Primary School, Hulikal in Magadi taluk, not far from Bangalore. When members of the Gnana Trust began distributing colourful storybooks to the children, they smiled, cheered and even danced with happiness. Even for the teachers it was a momentous occasion.

Gnana Trust, which has been active in spreading the reading culture among government school students, had a special reason for selecting the Hulikal school. "Salumarada" Thimmakka lives there, close to the school itself. She is, of course, well known for planting saplings along the roads and nurturing them into trees. Gnana Trust volunteers, Sridhar and Geraldin, who live in England and own a bookstore there, took the initiative to contribute books to the school.

After handing over the books, Sridhar said, "The trust will continue to promote reading among village children by distributing free books.'' Headmaster Channarangaiah promised that the books would be well preserved and used by the students.

The trust did not end the event by just distributing books. It also held a painting camp for the children, guided by an artist Surekha.