Bangalore, Dec 5, 2024: eVidyaloka has rolled 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 Nov 14 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.
During the first session of the Readathon, schools connected for a virtual story-reading session. Suguna Mohan, a long-standing volunteer teacher with eVidyaloka, led an interactive read-aloud session that brought the story to life. Guests included 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 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.
eVidyaloka is a pioneering non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the educational landscape of rural India. Founded by former Microsoft India colleagues Satish and Venkat, the organization began its mission in January 2011. Leveraging technology and volunteerism, eVidyaloka addresses the critical challenges of teacher shortages and teaching quality in remote villages.
eVidyaloka operates through innovative programs such as Teach through Television (TTT) and Digital Classrooms, delivering education in native languages to children aged 10-15. The TTT program broadcasts educational content via local cable channels, reaching 3 crore views across 10 states. The Digital Classroom model connects global volunteer teachers with rural students, using technology to provide interactive and enriching learning experiences.
With the support of over 6,000 volunteers from 40+ countries and esteemed partners like Microsoft and Infosys, eVidyaloka has impacted over 2.5 million students, contributing significantly to rural education. The organization's mission extends beyond education, aiming to empower rural communities and bridge the educational divide, shaping a self-reliant and prosperous future for India.
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