Bangalore, Sept 08: Indian cricket Vice-Captain Rahul Dravid, today launched a book authored by renowned Mahashweta Devi for young readers under "Read India Movement" aimed at reducing the army of illiterates among children. The book "Yaake, Yaake Hudugi" in Kannada, translated from the English book "The Why Why Girl" by noted theatre personality and Jnanapeeth award winner Girish Karnad, was launched synchronising with the "International Literacy Day". The book which launches the "Read India Books" label is in the first of a series of books being brought out by Pratham, of which Akshara Foundation is a member. "Lot of young children do not get the opportunity that we did. We are lucky. We are blessed", Dravid told the children. "It is a fascinating and terrific effort", he said of the launch which is part of the "Read India Movement" of Pratham. Rohini Nilekani, chairperson of the Akshara Foundation, said read India books hoped to generate 50 high quality, low cost titles in the next six months. Each book would be simultaneously published in six languages, including English.
She said already, 1.60 lakh children all over the country had learnt to read through the "read India" accelerated reading programme.

Bureau Report