The one person, who I owe my love for reading to, is my school librarian, Mrs Ray. She was a picture of poise, elegance and class. Every single day, she would be dressed in a crisp Kolkata saree, a beautiful black-strapped thin watch around her right wrist and her hair tied in a bun. She always wore a warm smile.
The Library period was my favourite. I always sat in the first row, because I wanted to be as close to her as possible; I had developed a deep sense of admiration for her. She always held a book, high enough for her to read and low enough for us to keep eye contact with her.
Her honey-dipped voice would put me in a trance. There was an inexplicable elegance in the way she turned pages of the books, which she read out to us. She was a book magician, who sent me to the land of wonders for 30 minutes, during every library period. And it was indeed the best time of the day, at school.
A few years ago, when I met her in a different city, in her home, she did what she is best at. She read a story for me. Nothing had changed – her voice, her elegance and her inimitable narrative style.
Today is the birth anniversary of one such teacher, who was loved, admired and adored by children across the country. Former Indian President Dr Abdul Kalam. And to mark his birth anniversary, the education minister, Vinod Tawde, has announced this day as No Schoolbag Day. Today is Reading Day.
I spoke to six kids from across Mumbai on what this day means to them. Here’s what they had to say:
Brianna Mankar,12 years old
‘No Schoolbag Day’ would be the best school day ever! No heavy school bags! No need to carry notebooks, textbooks or file papers. Our backs would get a well-deserved break. Running around and playing games would be so much easier without our heavy school bags on our backs. And also, we need not worry about our pens, pencils or school books getting robbed or lost.
Imagine bringing your favourite story books, classics, novels to school just to read for six hours! A fabulous treat for all the book lovers! I am one of those book lovers! I really wish this day happened often.
The book I will take to read in school is 39 Clues: The Medusa Plot. It is such an interesting book. It’s all about adventure.
We learn morals from some story books. They should also hold something like a book club where we discuss what we understood about the book and why we chose that book, and have a Q and A session too.
Reading keeps our brain active and alert. It would feel pretty weird going to school on a normal school day without a bag. And one of the most amazing things about this day is that we don’t get any HOMEWORK!
Sara Patil, 9 years old
I am happy because I will not be carrying my heavy bag on my shoulders. My friends and I can discuss some amazing things with our teachers. I will also go to the library and read some books.
I can go to our school ground and play games like basketball , handball, badminton, table tennis. This day will give me a chance to go to the computer lab to draw and play games and not worry about studies. I would also like to see movies on educomp and also go swimming in our pool.
Anvi Gore, 9 years old
No school bag day – it’s going to be fun! Today is Dr Abdul Kalam’s birth anniversary. It is going to be observed as No Schoolbag Day or Vaachan Prerna Diwas. This is done so that students develop interest in non-academic reading. This helps in the overall development of children.
I will not be carrying my bag, which means no heavy load. I will reach school and everyone will be playing. We will not have to study or learn. But we will miss learning. A day for enjoying should always be there in life.
I am very excited to go to school on this day because there will be no heavy load, no studying. We will be reading only non-academic textbooks.
I might be taking Nancy Drew and the Crocodile Island, to read in school. My favourite authors are Roald Dahl and Ruskin Bond.
Gokul Iyer, 13 years old
It encourages school-going students to leave their bags home. It also urges schools to ensure children do not carry any books or minimal books.
As we all know that the education system has changed rapidly over the years, a recent checking of bags showed that children are carrying more books than they used to carry in the 90s. Further research also says that school students should not carry bags weighing more than 6.70 kg. Currently, the average weight of school bags that children carry is approximately 9 kg.
The weight of these bags causes discomfort, shoulder problems, which will affect every student’s future health.
No school bag day should be given utmost importance as children who are the future of this country cannot be burdened with the weight of bags. Schools should also give importance to quality and right to education. Learning and going to school should not be a painful experience, but a more enjoyable and delightful one.
I am excited about this day because I can go to school with only a water bottle, no books! I am looking forward to enjoying in school.
Pranav Sriram, 13 years old
I strongly believe that the decision taken by our education minister is very appropriate as Dr Kalam’s lifelong goal was to see India not only economically developed, but also creatively developed. Dr Kalam always encouraged the youth to creatively learn and understand concepts rather than rote learn. He often quoted,”Learning gives creativity, creativity leads to thinking, thinking provides knowledge, knowledge makes you great.”
I am happy that the education minister is successfully spreading this message, by making this day a reading day.
Reading is one of the main means of creative development. The act of gifting books and having a book exhibition, on this day, will make children more open to books and will also give them opportunities to read. It will also help the teachers to persuade the youth to read more books.
As a student, I personally believe that this decision, by the minister is not only beneficial for students, but also enjoyable. It will definitely be a different day at school. Everyone will get their own books – some we may not have heard of and therefore, it will be a good way to know what others are reading.
We should have more days like this, in the academic year. Studying everyday is stressful.
I moved from CBSE board to IGCSE board, and the English here is tough. So I have started reading more and that has helped to improve my vocabulary. I understand usage of words better and I am able to express my thoughts more clearly. I love reading JK Rowling. I am currently reading Divergent by Veronica Roth.
Miraya Mitra Saigal, 9 years old
Recently, our principal announced in our school assembly that on October 15, which is Dr Abdul Kalam’s birth anniversary, the school will be celebrating the day as No Schoolbag Day. Dr Abdul Kalam was the President of India, a great scientist, a teacher and he loved children.
I am really excited that we don’t have to carry our big and heavy school bags. I feel so tired and exhausted carrying the bag to school.
I will carry a small sling bag with my diary, pencil box, colours, story books and a tiffin and bottle. I wish every day or at least every other day was No Schoolbag day. If we do have to carry school bags, I would like to carry a small one with lighter things in it.
I wish Dr Kalam was still alive because he was such a great teacher and I would have loved it if he taught me.
I like to read Tom Gates by L Pichon, Wimpy Kid, Oliver Jeffers books; even though they are picture books, I love them. I enjoyed Fortunately the Milk by Neil Gaiman and tried to read The Graveyard Book, but couldn’t understand it totally.
I am going to carry Clarice Bean and Charlotte of Giverny to read. I love to read because it’s fun, gives me knowledge about the world and people around and helps me increase my vocabulary.
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