Essar Foundation organizes 'unusual book fair' for NGOs, in Mumbai

The Essar Foundation, in association with Pratham Books, organized an 'unusual book fair' for Essarites at the Mahalaxmi and Kurla offices, on October 17-21, 2011.

 

Pratham Books is a not-for-profit organization established in 2004, whose vision, common to that of the Essar Foundation, is of a nation where every child reads – and enjoys reading. Pratham calls it the 'Read India Movement'.

 

An unusual fair
Pratham has published about 1,500 books for children, in 11 Indian languages. Most of these publications were available at the book fair, the proceeds of which would go towards the education of underprivileged children. Towards this end, the Foundation and Pratham Books tied up with a number of NGOs working in the area of children's education. At the book fairs in Mumbai, visitors could either purchase books for their own families, or 'pledge a book' for a child who has no access to one, by buying a book and dropping it into designated cartons placed at the venue; the pledged books were distributed among the NGOs.

 

"This Diwali, I am going to gift books to my maid's children; they hardly have enough to spend on books, but I want them to read too," said an Essarite at the book fair.

Essarites supported the cause with eagerness, buying books not only for their own children, but also for those around them. Over the five days, more than 3,000 books were sold and over four cartons (about 250 books) were pledged and donated.