Room to Read India Recognizes Book Creators in Children’s Literature, Culminates India Gets Reading Campaign 7.0

Room to Read India today marked the culmination of its India Gets Reading Campaign 7.0 – My Book, My Story, celebrating children’s literature and further recognizing remarkable young creators through the third edition of the Room to Read Children’s Literature Awards. The event highlighted the power of reading and storytelling in shaping the minds and dreams of children across the country. The event featured a keynote address by Ms. Paro Anand, Bal Sahitya Akademi Award-winning author, a special address by Room to Read CEO, Geetha Murali, an insightful panel discussion on the important subject of ‘Dignity in Children’s Reading Journeys’ and an engaging performance by Tiny Tales Theatre Company, bringing stories to life for children and adults alike.

The India Gets Reading Campaign 2025 aimed to ensure that children are given an encouraging environment to read and learn, and this included them having access to books in familiar languages that reflect their experiences, identities, and aspirations. The campaign achieved remarkable outcomes with state governments, local communities and like-minded partner organizations. As per estimates, the campaign reach across the country is expected to be more than 30 lakh participants.

Emphasizing the importance of the occasion, Poornima Garg, Country Director, Room to Read India, said, “Every child’s reading journey is a unique story shaped by the books they read and the worlds they discover through them. Our twin initiatives of India Gets Reading campaign and Children’s Literature Awards are rooted in the belief that every child deserves access to stories that reflect their world, their language, and their dreams. Through these initiatives, we are promoting learning spaces that are not only equitable but also empowering, where children’s voices are heard and celebrated. Working with the state governments, we are also reinforcing the role of parents, teachers, communities and other supporters to promote a reading culture"

The Room to Read Children’s Literature Awards 2025, now in its third year, honoured 22 exceptional authors, illustrators, and publishers who have enriched the landscape of children’s literature in regional languages through stories that engage, inspire, and educate. This year’s awards also included the newly introduced Teacher-Librarian’s Choice Award in Marathi. By encouraging local-language literature, the awards are helping bridge gaps in early literacy and nurturing a generation of confident, curious learners.

A panel of experts explored the dignity of children’s reading journeys and the role of literature in nurturing empathy, confidence, and resilience. The event also showcased innovations in learning environments and celebrated collaborations that are contributing to a more literate, inclusive, and equitable society. These discussions reinforced the shared responsibility of educators, communities and supporters in ensuring that every child’s voice is heard and their right to education upheld.

These initiatives reflect Room to Read India’s continued commitment to advancing education aligned with the goals of the National Education Policy 2020 and NIPUN, as well as the global priorities such as Sustainable Development Goal 4 of quality education for all.

About Room to Read India

Room to Read India was established in 2003 and presently has programs in 12 states – Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi NCR, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.

Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, Room to Read develops children’s foundational literacy skills, as well as life skills that promote gender equality. We nurture these essential skills in children by training and coaching educators, creating quality learning materials and spaces, strengthening education systems, and delivering programs directly and with partners – all while honoring the dignity of every child. Committed to accelerating learning outcomes for more children, more quickly, we have benefited more than 50 million children across 29 countries. Room to Read envisions a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality, where all children have room to read, learn and grow. Visit us at www.roomtoreadindia.org.