Library inspires learning by stoking kids' imagination
2
3
4
Guwahati: In a city where dedicated reading spaces for children are scarce, Prerna Agarwal, a seasoned library educator with nearly 20 years of experience, is quietly revolutionizing the way young minds engage with books.
Her community library, though modest in size, is a treasure trove of knowledge and joy, offering economically challenged children a vibrant hub to discover the magic of reading.
Nestled in the heart of the city, Agarwal's library boasts a collection of over 700 books, each carefully selected to enrich and inspire. "Our collection is diverse, focusing on different communities and rich Indian culture," Agarwal said.
The library's shelves are lined with beautifully illustrated storybooks, many rooted in folktales, providing children with valuable insights and sparking their imaginations.
Agarwal's approach to learning is anything but conventional. "In schools, learning is often academic. Here, it's a journey of discovery," she explained. Children are encouraged to interpret stories through their own thoughts and ideas, often expressing themselves through art after reading.
With a background in English and psychology from Delhi, Agarwal initially worked in outreach programs, engaging children in community libraries within govt schools. However, she faced challenges as these institutions often prioritised academic content over exploration.
Today, Agarwal's library, run by a dedicated team of three women, welcomes around 25 children daily. Each session is designed to be interactive and engaging, ensuring that learning remains a joyful experience.
The initiative is entirely free, sustained by Agarwal's unwavering dedication and personal efforts.
The physical library, located in the city's Rehabari area, was established last year, marking a significant milestone in Agarwal's journey, which began in 2022. Before this, activities were conducted online. Now, with a physical space, Agarwal organizes regular outings and collaborates with NGOs, offering children experiences that are often entirely new to them.
Reflecting on her early days in the city, Agarwal said children once had limited exposure to diverse career options, often being steered toward conventional paths. However, she sees a shift today, with children enjoying the freedom to explore a wide range of career choices. "To make informed decisions, children must be well-read and knowledgeable, and that starts with developing a reading habit early on," she said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Anil Mistry: From poaching to protecting
It was a quiet day in the late 90s. A young man born in a poacher's family was in the middle of a hunt in the dense forests of the Sundarbans. They had managed to shoot a doe, but it was a bit later that they realised a fawn was hiding behind and was left an orphan because of their action. The man, deeply moved by this scene, was unable to let go of the guilt and decided to turn himself in to the officials. This is the story of Anil Mistry, the poacher turned conservationist of the Sundarbans. Born on Bali Island on the Indian side of the Sundarbans, Anil Krishna Mistry is now a dedicated advocate for mangrove conservation and wildlife protection. He founded the Bali Nature and Wildlife Conservation Society (BNWCS) and works primarily towards diminishing human-wildlife conflict. As a former poacher and native of the area, he often emphasises how well he and his fellow ex-poachers know the nooks and crannies of the Sundarbans better than anybody. Just as he turned a new leaf, Mistry inspired multiple other poachers to mend their ways and help in conserving the nature around them rather than destroying it. The Sundarbans, home to the iconic Royal Bengal tiger, have always had issues related to human-wildlife interactions that cause tension. Anil has participated in over 70 tiger capture and release operations, and his organisation has helped ensure several such dangerous scenarios have been handled smoothly. Mistry also works towards ensuring alternative livelihoods, such as pond farming, poultry, small-scale agriculture, embroidery, and veterinary services, to reduce dependency on forest extractivism. These efforts have enabled his village to achieve financial stability without harming the forest. It was while working with the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), led by founder Belinda Wright, that he picked up the mission of protecting mangroves and wildlife through community-centred initiatives. From taking lives in the jungle to giving tigers a chance, Anil Krishna Mistry's journey provides an inspiring tale of ecological resilience and redemption. He has contributed to the preservation of one of India's most delicate ecosystems by empowering the community and ensuring compassion-driven conservation. His life serves as a timeless reminder that practicing respect for the delicate balance between people and nature are the first steps towards change.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
How a simple QR code can be first step to a child's education in Delhi
A simple QR code could now be the first step for a child in Delhi to return to school. As part of a new education campaign, the Delhi government is using digital forms and community outreach to identify children who have never been enrolled or who have dropped out. The initiative, called Shiksha Aarambh, is being run by Samagra Shiksha-Delhi to identify out-of-school children, including those with special needs. The QR codes, pasted in public spaces near government schools, open a simple online form that anyone can fill. The form allows residents to report children who have never been enrolled or who have dropped out. It is available in both Hindi and English and can be submitted by parents, neighbours or any concerned citizen. A departmental circular issued in May stated, 'This year, Samagra Shiksha-Delhi is launching an initiative Shiksha Aarambh to collect primary data on never-enrolled children through a publicly accessible QR code. All teams are requested to widely circulate this QR code in all catchment and inspection areas.' It added, 'This initiative aims to ease the admission process, ensure maximum enrollments, and achieve the goal of no child left out of school.' 'The details of the child's name, location, and reason for not being enrolled yet are shared in the form. It is available in both languages so that it is accessible to all people,' said Sunita Yadav, state project coordinator with Samagra Shiksha. She added that both dropouts and children who have never been enrolled in a school and whom authorities might miss out during surveys are targeted in the campaign. The form asks for key information such as the child's name, age, gender, address, contact number, parents' names, and whether the child has a disability or has migrated from another location. It also captures whether the child is working, the last class attended, and the approximate period of dropout. This information is then shared with the Samagra Shiksha headquarters and forwarded to the concerned District Urban Resource Centre Coordinator, according to Yadav. 'They verify the data, reach out to the student and coordinate with nearby schools. Children identified through this process are to be given admission within three days,' Yadav added. This digital step supports a large-scale summer survey carried out from May 13 to June 30 across 13 district-wise divisions of Delhi. More than 240 teams were deployed to identify children who were never enrolled or had dropped out. Teams included teachers, special educators and local officials. They visited homes, spoke with families, and encouraged people to use the QR code if they knew of children not attending school, as per the officials. To ensure a smooth transition into classrooms, the education department earlier directed all government schools under the Directorate of Education, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), and Delhi Cantonment Board to set up Special Admission Cells. Each cell includes the school principal, an admissions in-charge, a vocational or guidance counsellor, and a cluster resource centre coordinator. These cells are responsible for ensuring that children are enrolled quickly, guiding parents through the process, and limiting paperwork. They also track attendance, follow up on academic progress and coordinate with Special Training Centres where children may need a bridge course before joining a regular class. Admissions for all identified children are to be completed by July 31. The department will continue verifying entries and following up with families over the next month, as per officials.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Did you just study French for your English exam? Here's the history your textbook missed
Almost 950 years ago, a conquest led by William, Duke of Normandy, invaded not only England but also the language of the 'English'. In the Battle of Hastings, Anglo-Saxon King Harold was defeated, and his loss left a profound and lasting impact on how the language evolved over the centuries that followed. In the words of French linguist Bernard Cerquiglini, "The English language does not exist." That's mispronounced French. Today, students across classrooms around the world learn English as a vital part of their academic journey. Yet, what many fail to recognise is that nearly 40% of the English words they study are actually of French origin. It is well known that languages borrow from one another, but when the influence becomes as deep and enduring as that of French on English, it is more than borrowing, it is a language invasion. Modern linguistic estimates show that 30–40% of English vocabulary comes from French, much of it tracing directly to the centuries of Norman rule. From classrooms to courts, and from idioms to essay writing, students regularly use words rooted in Norman French, often without even knowing it. A conquest for culture, language and the English throne Prior to 1066, the dominant language of England was Old English, a Germanic tongue spoken by the Anglo-Saxons. It was used for writing, law codes, poetry, and public discourse. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo But the Norman Conquest brought about a complete linguistic and social restructuring. After claiming the crown at Hastings, William the Conqueror graced the English throne on Christmas Day of 1066. He got rid of the English nobility and appointed French-speaking Norman aristocrats in their place, who then introduced their own language, a dialect of Old French known as Anglo-Norman, as the new standard of power, law, and prestige. Over the next 300 years, French became the language of the court, the church, the elite and the law. Old English, in contrast, became the language of the common people; rural, unwritten, and declining. With nearly 85% of Old English vocabulary lost during this period, a new hybrid language emerged, fusing French and English. This hybrid evolved into Middle English, the basis of the language students learn today. French words dominate English vocabulary The Norman Conquest triggered the flooding of French vocabulary across all aspects of English life. According to Morocco World News, an estimated 30% of modern English vocabulary comes directly from French, and English speakers unknowingly use a vast French-origin vocabulary. Key vocabulary areas shaped by French include: Domain French-Origin Words Law court, jury, tribunal, verdict Politics government, minister, parliament, coup d'état Military army, military, commander Religion religion, confession, virgin Food & Class beef, veal, mutton, venison (vs. Old English: cow, calf) Daily Use abandon, accord, adopt, danger Education university, inspiration, language, literature The language battleground has French footprints all over The Norman Conquest didn't just add new vocabulary, it also changed how English words are formed. French contributed widely used prefixes and suffixes such as: Prefixes: con- , de- , ex- , pre- , trans- Suffixes: -ment , -ance , -ity , -tion , -ism , -ize These are now fundamental to word formation in English. For example: hindrance = Old English hinder + French -ance coverage = French cover + -age reborn = French prefix re- + native English word Even English syntax was affected. French-style phrases such as attorney general and court martial follow the noun-adjective structure common in French, unlike standard English order. English as a museum for french words English learners in India and around the world often encounter French-rooted vocabulary in textbooks, exams, and academic writing. Terms like critique , debate , motivation , inspiration , and education all trace back to French. Even subject names like history , grammar , and literature are French imports. Understanding the roots provide a much intriguing lesson and realisation that when learning one language you might actually be mastering traces of many. The cultural residue in sounds and idioms French also left a phonetic signature on English. Words like ballet , filet , corps , and bouquet retain silent letters and French pronunciations. Additionally, French idioms such as: bon voyage joie de vivre vis à vis au contraire à la mode are still used in both spoken and academic English today. Elite dominated it before commoners embraced it The English populace did not blatantly accept the French parade over their language instantly. In fact, in the early years the French adoption was restricted to the elite, while commoners spoke English. It was by the 13th century that French words found their way into everyday communication. With time, the English language evolved into a stew of both, incorporating French structure and vocabulary into the heart of the English language. This legacy is why, today, English is not purely Germanic, despite its origins, it is a hybrid tongue, carrying with it the linguistic DNA of conquest, colonisation, and cultural fusion. English is now spoken by billions, and the Norman Conquest remains one of its most formative chapters. For Indian students preparing for board exams, entrance tests, or mastering fluency, understanding this linguistic history offers more than trivia, it helps decode the very structure of the English they learn every day. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
