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OUR MISSION READ & LEAD.WE HAVE UNIQUE IDEA SAVE MONEY, READ BOOKS.

13/04/2026

This is a comprehensive, article-style exploration of the **Mohalla Library Movement** and the life’s work of **Mirza Abdul Qayyum Nadvi**. It is structured for publication in an educational journal, a social-interest magazine, or a high-impact digital platform.
# The Reading Revolution of the Streets: How the Mohalla Library Movement is Transforming India’s Educational Landscape
**By: Mirza Abdul Hasan Ali
In an era where the blue light of smartphones often eclipses the tactile joy of paper, and where high-quality education remains a luxury for many, a quiet revolution is taking place in the narrow lanes of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), Maharashtra. It is not a revolution of slogans or high-tech labs, but one of small iron cupboards, neighborhood balconies, and children’s piggy banks. This is the story of the **Mohalla Bal Pustakalaya Abhiyan** (Neighborhood Children's Library Campaign) and its architect, **Mirza Abdul Qayyum Nadvi**.
# # I. The Genesis: A Pandemic-Era Spark
The story of the Mohalla Library is as much about a father’s guidance as it is about a daughter’s observation. In January 2021, while the world was grappling with the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, schools remained shuttered. **Maryam Mirza**, then a student in the 7th grade, noticed a disturbing trend: children in her neighborhood of Baijipura were losing themselves in the addictive loops of mobile gaming and social media.
With the support of her father, Mirza Abdul Qayyum Nadvi—a veteran social activist and President of the **Read and Lead Foundation**—Maryam decided to act. She pooled her personal collection of 150 books, her father added another 150, and they secured a modest iron cupboard from a friend. On January 8, 2021, the first library, named after **Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam**, was inaugurated at their home.
What began as a localized effort to curb "screen addiction" soon blossomed into a scalable socio-educational model that challenged the traditional, institutionalized idea of what a library should be.
# # II. The Architecture of the Mohalla Model
Most libraries in India are central, daunting, and often geographically distant from labor-class colonies. The Mohalla Library flips this script through a **"Doorstep Delivery of Knowledge"** approach.
# # # 1. The Low-Cost, High-Impact Strategy
The beauty of the Mohalla Library lies in its radical simplicity. Establishing a library requires no massive infrastructure or government grants. A modest investment of approximately **₹10,000** provides a collection of 300 to 500 books, basic shelving, and a simple registration log.
# # # 2. Community Ownership and "Child Librarians"
These are libraries *of* the people, *by* the people. Often situated in a neighbor's balcony, a small corner of a home, or a community center, the libraries are frequently managed by "Child Librarians." This fosters a sense of responsibility and leadership among the youth, making the library a playground for intellectual growth rather than a silent, intimidating hall.
# # # 3. Cultural Sensitivity and Linguistic Diversity
Recognizing the diverse demographic of Maharashtra, these libraries carry literature in Urdu, Marathi, Hindi, and English. By including moral stories, biographies of scientists, and regional literature, the movement preserves cultural heritage while promoting modern scientific temperament.
# # III. The "Save Money, Read Books" Philosophy
Perhaps the most ingenious aspect of Mirza Abdul Qayyum Nadvi’s work is the **Gulak (Piggy Bank) Initiative**. For over 15 years, he has championed a micro-saving model that empowers children.
Children are provided with piggy banks and encouraged to save their small pocket change. When the bank is full, the money isn't spent on toys or sweets; it is used to buy books. This process does three things:
1. It teaches **financial literacy** from a young age.
2. It instills a sense of **value for literature** (a book bought with one's own savings is read with more care).
3. It creates a **sustainable ecosystem** where children are not just consumers of knowledge but investors in it.
# # IV. Growth, Expansion, and "Mission 2026"
From a single cupboard in Baijipura, the movement has achieved remarkable scale.
* **The Current Footprint**: By early 2026, the network has grown to approximately **40 libraries** in Aurangabad, **15 in Parbhani**, **5 in Burhanpur**, and several others in cities like **Hyderabad** and **Jalna**.
* **The Numbers**: Over **18,000 books** have been put into circulation, directly benefiting more than **10,000 children** from labor-class and underprivileged backgrounds.
* **Mission Begin Again**: Under the leadership of Mirza Abdul Qayyum Nadvi, the Read and Lead Foundation has pledged to open **26 new neighborhood libraries during the year 2026**. This mission seeks to push the movement into rural Marathwada, targeting underserved villages where educational resources are non-existent.
# # V. Mirza Abdul Qayyum Nadvi: The Man Behind the Mission
While the libraries are the physical manifestation of the work, the driving force is Nadvi’s philosophy of **Holistic Social Reform**.
# # # Social Justice and Advocacy
Nadvi’s work is not limited to the printed page. As the National Spokesperson for the **All India Muslim OBC Organization**, he is a vocal advocate for the rights of backward classes. His activism extends to:
* **Civic Rights**: Organizing protests for better roads and sanitation in Aurangabad.
* **Resource Conservation**: Leading water conservation awareness campaigns in a drought-prone region.
* **National Integration**: Using the platform of literature to foster harmony between different linguistic and religious communities.
# # # Recognition and Accolades
His tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed. He has been honored with:
* The **National Social Excellence Award** in New Delhi.
* The **Cultural Bridge Award** in Hyderabad.
* The **Amhi Bharatiya Award** for contributions to literature and education.
# # VI. Impact: Beyond the Page
The impact of the Mohalla Library Movement is qualitative as much as it is quantitative. Educators in Aurangabad note that children participating in the campaign show improved vocabulary, higher confidence in public speaking, and, most importantly, a decrease in the "digital fatigue" caused by excessive screen time.
Social activist and thinker **Yogendra Yadav**, after visiting these libraries, famously remarked that they represent "the true spirit of democracy." By decentralizing knowledge, Nadvi and his foundation have democratized the right to learn.
# # VII. The Path Forward: Can the Model Be Replicated?
The Mohalla Library is a blueprint for the Global South. Its success proves that:
1. **Resources aren't the primary barrier; access and intent are.**
2. **Small-scale, localized solutions often outperform massive, centralized government projects.**
3. **Engaging the family unit (parents and children together) ensures longevity.**
As the foundation moves toward its "Mission 2026" goals, the challenge remains to find more volunteers willing to host these knowledge hubs in their homes. Nadvi’s call to action is simple: *“If you have a shelf, you can have a library. If you have a child who reads, you have a future.”*
# # Conclusion
Mirza Abdul Qayyum Nadvi and the Read and Lead Foundation have created more than just a library network; they have built a **culture of curiosity**. In the dusty streets of Marathwada, children are no longer just dreaming—they are reading their way toward those dreams.
The Mohalla Library Movement is a testament to the power of a simple idea. It reminds us that while the digital world might offer us a window to the world, it is the physical book, held in the hands of a child in their own neighborhood, that provides the staircase to climb out of poverty and ignorance.
As the year 2026 unfolds, the goal of 26 new libraries stands as a beacon of hope—a promise that the light of knowledge will continue to shine, one neighborhood at a time.
# # # Key Takeaways for the Reader:
* **The Founder:** Mirza Abdul Qayyum Nadvi (President, Read and Lead Foundation).
* **The Pioneer:** Maryam Mirza (Concept originator during COVID-19).
* **The Mission:** To establish 26 new libraries in 2026.
* **The Method:** Low-cost, neighborhood-based, child-managed, and funded through micro-savings.
*For more information or to support the Mission 2026, visit [www.readandleadfoundation.com] or contact the foundation directly.*

22/11/2025

*📖 A New Definition of Reading Revolution, Written by a 15-Year-Old Girl*
The Inspiring Saga of Maryam Mirza and Her 'Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Mohalla Library'
In a simple colony in Aurangabad city (now Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), when the whole world was paralyzed by the COVID lockdown in 2021, 13-year-old Maryam Mirza, then studying in the seventh standard, asked a question:
"Schools are closed... so where will all the children in my street read books from?"
This very question has now brought light into the lives of thousands of children.
The Beginning: Just 150 Books...
Maryam took out over 150 books from her own room. She set up a small table, four chairs, and a board on her balcony – "Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Mohalla Library – Free for Everyone."
In the first week, there were 15 children, in the second week, 40... and then it became impossible to stop the initiative.
As of November 2025:
* 36 in Aurangabad
* 15 in Parbhani
* 5 in Hyderabad
* 5 in Burhanpur
A total of more than 61 Mohalla Libraries are now operational in slum areas, mosques, government schools, and even on railway platforms.
Sources of Inspiration
* A Childhood Passion for Reading – Maryam has been a book enthusiast since childhood.
* Father Mirza Abdul Qayyum Nadwi – Owner of the famous "Mirza World Book House" in Aurangabad and founder of the "Read & Lead Foundation." Her father transformed her simple idea into a grand dream.
* Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam – Maryam's biggest idol. The first library was named after him.
* Loneliness during Lockdown – When the neighbourhood children were falling prey to mobile addiction, Maryam felt – "If I give them books, these children will also change."
Stories of Real Change
* Arif from the slum wants to become a Missile Scientist because he read Kalam's books.
* Ayesha in Hyderabad is now encouraged by her father to become a Police Officer because she read about Rani Lakshmibai and Indira Gandhi.
* A runaway boy crying on the Aurangabad railway station platform read "Tujhe Hai Tujhpashi" (a Marathi play) and returned home the next day.
* Attendance at a government school rose from 8% to 98% – because children come for the library and then stay for the class.
Honours and Recognition
* 2022 – International Special Award from the American Federation of Indian Origin Muslim Organisation (Delhi, presented by former Governor Najeeb Jung).
* 2024 – Maharashtra State Urdu Sahitya Akademi Special Award.
* Honours from numerous organizations across the state.
Maryam's Appeal
"Parents always complain that children don't study... but do you place books in their hands?
Just 20-30 books and a small space are enough. I will teach the rest."
Today, Maryam is studying in the 12th standard, but through her efforts, the future of thousands of children is being shaped.
A single candle can light thousands of other candles without losing its own flame.
Maryam Mirza proves that
Age is never an obstacle to dreams...
One only needs firm willpower in the heart.
If you also want to set up a Mohalla Library in your neighbourhood, just donate one book... the rest will make history.
📚 Maryam Mirza – Not just a name, but a message.

Photos from Read&lead INDIA Foundation's post 06/11/2025

औरंगाबाद से शुरू हुआ मरयम मिर्ज़ा मोहल्ला बाल पुस्तकालय अभियान पंहुचा हैदराबाद!*
मोअज़्ज़म जाही मार्केट गर्ल्स हाई स्कूल में "डॉ. आमना हुसैन लाइब्रेरी" का उद्घाटन; पढ़ने की ललक को बढ़ावा देने का अनूठा कदम
हैदराबाद: 6 नवंबर। बच्चों में पढ़ने की ललक पैदा करने और नई पीढ़ी को उर्दू भाषा से जोड़ने की दिशा में एक महत्वपूर्ण कदम उठाते हुए, छत्रपती संभाजीनगर से शुरू हुआ मरयम मिर्ज़ा मोहल्ला बाल पुस्तकालय अभियान अब हैदराबाद पंहुचा है। यह अभियान शहर में तेज़ी से आगे बढ़ रहा है, और यह हैदराबाद में स्थापित होने वाला चौथा मोहल्ला बालवाचनालय है।
इस श्रृंखला में, चौमहल्ला पैलेस के पास खिलवत स्थित मोअज़्ज़म जाही मार्केट गर्ल्स हाई स्कूल (उर्दू मीडियम) में 9 नवंबर को एक अनूठे बाल पुस्तकालय ("डॉ. आमना हुसैन लाइब्रेरी") का उद्घाटन किया गया।
✨ उद्घाटन और विशेष विवरण
पुस्तकालय का उद्घाटन श्रीमती फरीदा हुसैन (अखिल भारतीय मुस्लिम महिला परिषद की अध्यक्ष), श्रीमती सुल्ताना नज़ीर-उल-हसन (प्रिंसिपल, प्रिंसेस हाई स्कूल), और श्री रिज़वान हैदर (ट्रस्टी, फ़ैज़-ए-आम ट्रस्ट) ने किया।
इस अवसर पर श्री मिर्ज़ा अब्दुल कय्यूम नदवी (अध्यक्ष, रीड एंड लीड फाउंडेशन, औरंगाबाद/छत्रपती संभाजीनगर) और सामाजिक कार्यकर्ता श्री अहमद अरशद हुसैन भी उपस्थित थे।
📖 "डॉ. आमना हुसैन लाइब्रेरी" की स्थापना
* यह पुस्तकालय विश्व स्तर पर प्रसिद्ध पत्रकार श्रीमती ज़ुलेखा हुसैन (सह-संस्थापक, तहज़ीब इंस्टीट्यूट) के सहयोग से स्थापित किया गया है।
* उन्होंने इसका नाम अपनी दिवंगत चाची, डॉ. आमना हुसैन के नाम पर रखा है।
* वर्तमान में इस पुस्तकालय में बच्चों के लिए लगभग 500 पुस्तकें उपलब्ध हैं।
* श्रीमती ज़ुलेखा हुसैन ने पहले उर्दू सीखने के जुनून को बच्चों में पैदा करने के लिए 100 से अधिक स्कूलों में ऐसे पुस्तकालय स्थापित करने का इरादा व्यक्त किया था।
🗣️ प्रमुख वक्ताओं के विचार
* श्रीमती फरीदा हुसैन ने कहा, "ये छोटी बच्चों की लाइब्रेरी ही भविष्य की बड़ी लाइब्रेरी होंगी।"
* श्री रिज़वान हैदर (ट्रस्टी, फ़ैज़-ए-आम ट्रस्ट) ने छात्रों से इस पुस्तकालय से नियमित रूप से किताबें घर ले जाने और पढ़ने का आग्रह किया।
* श्रीमती सुल्ताना नज़ीर-उल-हसन ने पढ़ने के महत्व पर ज़ोर देते हुए कहा, "बच्चों को किताबों के करीब लाने के लिए, मोहल्ला पुस्तकालय या पुस्तक केंद्र स्थापित किए जाने चाहिए, और उनमें ऐसी किताबें रखी जानी चाहिए जो बच्चों को उबाऊ न लगें, बल्कि वे उन्हें रुचि के साथ पढ़ें और अपना ज्ञान बढ़ाएँ।"
* श्री मिर्ज़ा अब्दुल कय्यूम नदवी ने बताया कि औरंगाबाद (अब छत्रपती संभाजीनगर) में चल रहा मोहल्ला पुस्तकालय आंदोलन काफी सफल रहा है, जहाँ वर्तमान में 36 बाल पुस्तकालय संचालित हैं, जिनसे लगभग 18,000 से 20,000 बच्चों को लाभ मिल रहा है।
यह पुस्तकालय हैदराबाद में मरयम मिर्ज़ा द्वारा औरंगाबाद/छत्रपती संभाजीनगर में शुरू किए गए "बच्चों का मोहल्ला पुस्तकालय" आंदोलन की तर्ज पर शुरू किया गया है। यह उल्लेखनीय है कि इस आंदोलन को फ़ैज़-ए-आम ट्रस्ट के सचिव श्री इफ़्तिख़ार हुसैन का संरक्षण प्राप्त है।
🏫 स्कूल स्टाफ की उपस्थिति
स्कूल की सचिव और संवाददाता श्रीमती अर्शिया मुनीर, स्कूल सहायक श्रीमती क़मर फ़ातिमा, इंचार्ज एचएम प्राइमरी स्कूल श्रीमती असरा मोहम्मदी, प्रिंसिपल इंग्लिश मीडियम श्रीमती वसीम बानो, उर्दू शिक्षिका हाई स्कूल श्रीमती वसीम बेगम, और विज्ञान शिक्षिका हाई स्कूल श्रीमती सैयदा हबीबा बेगम, के साथ अन्य शिक्षकों और कर्मचारियों ने कार्यक्रम को सफल बनाने में योगदान दिया।

Photos from Read&lead INDIA Foundation's post 30/10/2025

Here is a news-in-light story celebrating (October 30) by highlighting the powerful synergy between saving money and reading, championed by the Maryam Mirza Mohalla Library Movement and the Read and Lead Foundation in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad).
Little Pockets, Big Dreams: The 'Gullak' Revolution Ignites Reading on World Savings Day
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, October 30—As the world observes World Savings Day today, a quiet but successful revolution is underway in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, thanks to the Read and Lead Foundation and the globally-acclaimed Maryam Mirza Mohalla Library Movement. They are teaching children that the most valuable investment isn't in a bank, but in a book.
The core of this movement is a humble plastic savings box, or 'gullak'. Launched by Maulana Abdul Qayyum Mirza, President of the Read and Lead Foundation, the initiative has now touched over 60,000 students across 52 schools, turning simple pocket change into a passionate pursuit of knowledge.
The Power of the Money Pot
In an age dominated by smartphones and social media, Maulana Mirza and his daughter, youth icon Mariyam Mirza (founder of the Mohalla Libraries), recognized two dying habits: reading and saving. Their solution was simple yet profound: distribute free 'gullaks' to middle-schoolers with the explicit goal of saving small amounts—perhaps just Re. 1 or Rs. 5—to buy books of their choice.
"That tiny 'gullak' costing barely Rs 3-Rs 5, becomes almost like their personal tiny bank which they guard fiercely," explains Maulana Mirza. "At the right time, they spend the accumulated savings to buy books... Isn't it better than wasting it on toys or sweets?"
This World Savings Day, the initiative stands as a brilliant example of micro-savings leading to macro-benefits. The Foundation periodically organizes small school book fairs where excited children arrive with pockets full of their own savings, ready to purchase books in Marathi, English, Hindi, or Urdu.
Mohalla Libraries and the Next Chapter
The 'gullak' initiative is a vital partner to Mariyam Mirza's Mohalla Library Movement, which has opened over three dozen libraries in low-income neighborhoods to ensure every child has access to books. Mariyam, who started her first library in her own balcony during the COVID-19 lockdown, has inspired a grassroots movement that links access to books with community involvement.
The collective effort by the father-daughter duo encourages children to "shun mobiles, video-games, television or social media and make 'books as their best friends'."
On this day dedicated to financial literacy, the Read and Lead Foundation affirms that every coin dropped into a 'gullak' begins a new chapter—it’s an investment in knowledge that keeps growing, securing not just a financial future, but an intellectual one. The Foundation aims to distribute 1-lakh 'gullaks' in the coming years, ensuring that the habits of reading and responsible saving continue to flourish among the next generation.

Maryam Mirza's Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Mohalla Library · Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra 28/10/2025

Young Trailblazer Maryam Mirza Ignites a Reading Revolution with 36 Children's Libraries in Aurangabad India
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gPXBE1fuELzVGyFa6?g_st=awb

*Young Trailblazer Maryam Mirza Ignites a Reading Revolution with 36 Mohalla Libraries in Aurangabad”*
https://twocircles.net/2023may31/449054.html

*Mohalla Library Revolution: A Daughter and Father's Journey in Aurangabad, Maharashtra* https://mojostory.com/stories/mohalla-library-revolution-a-daughter-and-fathers-journey-in-aurangabad-maharashtra-536555

*Mohalla libraries bring kids back to the world of books -* http://toi.in/gcbOQa72/a31gj

Use the TOI app to get Breaking news and headlines. Download now:
https://timesofindia.onelink.me/efRt/ASmwebshare

Library Girl Mariyam Mirza gets award for Mohalla Library concept https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/library-girl-mariyam-mirza-gets-award-for-mohalla-library-concept-3748207?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=socialshare

*Mirza Abdul Qayyum Nadwi*
*+91 9325203227*

Maryam Mirza's Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Mohalla Library · Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

06/07/2025

"Let's Befriend Books" Campaign Underway in Aurangabad
The "Let's Befriend Books" campaign is currently running from July 5th to July 20th. This initiative is organized by the Ekta Education and Cultural Society, Misarwadi, under the leadership of Mr. Muqeem Deshmukh.
The campaign is being implemented in schools across Aurangabad by the Read and Lead Foundation, Aurangabad. Its primary goal is to cultivate interest and awareness towards books among students in 100 city schools.
Mirza Abdul Qayyum Nadvi, President of the Read and Lead Foundation, addressed female students at Al-Huda Primary School in Baijipura today. He guided them on how and what to read. The campaign aims to:
* Connect children with books.
* Encourage students to utilize books available in school libraries.
* Arrange visits to various libraries in Aurangabad city for children.
Education, Health, and Cleanliness Awareness Campaign Launched
Alongside the book campaign, an awareness drive focusing on education, health, and cleanliness has also been launched.
Mirza Abdul Qayyum Nadvi, President of the Read and Lead Foundation, Aurangabad, urged women to save money in their piggy banks for their children's education and their own health. This initiative is also supported by the Ekta Education and Cultural Society, Misarwadi.

Photos from Read&lead INDIA Foundation's post 19/06/2025

Bridging Generations, Building Libraries: The Inspiring Journeys of P.N. Panicker and Maryam Mirza
From the lush landscapes of Kerala to the historic city of Aurangabad, two remarkable individuals, P.N. Panicker and Maryam Mirza, have independently ignited powerful library movements, sharing an identical, unwavering commitment to literacy. Though separated by decades and geography, their stories intertwine through a common thread: the belief that books are not a luxury, but a fundamental right, and access to them can transform lives.
P.N. Panicker: The Architect of Kerala's Reading Revolution
Born in 1909, P.N. Panicker dedicated his life to illuminating Kerala through the power of the written word. Revered as the Father of the Library Movement in Kerala, his tireless efforts laid the very foundation for the state's impressive literacy rates.
Starting with the Sanadanadharmam Library in 1926, Panicker's vision blossomed in 1945 with the formation of the Thiruvithaamkoor Granthasala Sangham, later known as the Kerala Granthasala Sangham (KGS). Under the inspiring motto, "Read and Grow," he united numerous rural libraries, creating a vast network that eventually encompassed around 6,000 institutions. Panicker's relentless advocacy for reading reached even the most remote villages, igniting a passion for knowledge across the state.
His impact extended beyond traditional libraries. Even after the KGS was integrated into the government, Panicker continued his mission through the Kerala Association for Non-formal Education and Development (KANFED). This organization was pivotal in the "Sakshara Keralam" (Literate Kerala) movement, which ultimately led to universal literacy in the state. Today, to honor his monumental contributions, June 19th, his death anniversary, is observed as National Reading Day across India.
Maryam Mirza: A Young Torchbearer in Aurangabad
Fast forward to present-day Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (formerly Aurangabad), Maharashtra, and we find Maryam Mirza, a young girl embodying the very spirit of Panicker's legacy. During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2021, Maryam embarked on her own mission to bring books directly to children in her community by establishing "Mohalla Libraries" (neighborhood libraries).
Her journey began modestly, with the first library set up on her home's balcony. With the steadfast support of her father, Mirza Abdul Qayyum Nadvi, who presides over the Read and Lead Foundation, Maryam's initiative has blossomed. Today, over 36 Mohalla Libraries dot the landscape of Aurangabad, and her inspiring model has even spread to other cities.
Maryam's approach is both ingenious and sustainable. She actively raises funds, often with a clear appeal: "You give me ₹15,000, I will give you a library." These libraries are then strategically placed in accessible community spaces like Anganwadi centers, local mosques, or even the welcoming homes of generous residents. A unique and empowering aspect of her project is the involvement of children themselves as "junior librarians," fostering responsibility and a profound sense of ownership.
These libraries boast diverse collections, featuring books in English, Hindi, Urdu, and Marathi, catering to a wide range of interests and age groups. Maryam's dedication has not gone unnoticed; she has garnered numerous awards and accolades for her pioneering efforts in promoting literacy, especially among underprivileged children.
A Timeless Dedication to the Written Word
Both P.N. Panicker and Maryam Mirza, though separated by time and geography, stand as powerful testaments to the transformative power of literacy. They understood that books are not just sources of information, but gateways to new worlds, critical thinking, and boundless possibilities. While Panicker built a comprehensive, statewide movement that reshaped an entire generation, Maryam, with her youthful energy and innovative grassroots approach, is inspiring a new wave of readers and community engagement in her region.
Their individual journeys resonate with a universal message: access to knowledge empowers lives. Their stories beautifully illustrate that the passion for spreading literacy knows no bounds, transcending age, background, or location. What other community-led initiatives do you think could further amplify the impact of such library movements?

12/06/2025

June 12th is recognized as World Day Against Child Labour. The theme for 2024 is "Let's act on our commitments: End Child Labour!"
This day serves a crucial purpose: to advocate for a world where no child is exploited as a laborer and every child is granted the right to holistic development. This year's theme underscores the urgent need to translate our commitments into concrete actions to eradicate child labor.
Global and Indian Scenario of Child Labour
A joint report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF, titled "Child Labour: Global Estimates 2020; Trends and the Road Forward," reveals a disturbing trend: the number of child laborers globally has surged to 160 million. This represents an increase of 8.4 million child laborers in just four years. A significant contributing factor to this rise is the COVID-19 pandemic, which jeopardized the livelihoods of millions and orphaned countless children. The report highlights that child labor poses a severe threat to the health, safety, and morality of children aged 5 to 17, and its increase in recent years is unprecedented.
In India, while the 2011 census indicated a decrease in child labor between 2001 and 2011 (from 12.6 million to 10.1 million in the 5-14 age group), the post-COVID era has seen an increase in child laborers in urban areas due to increased rural-to-urban migration. The pandemic also led to the closure of 1.5 million schools, further exacerbating the issue.
Key Factors Contributing to Child Labour
Several interconnected factors contribute to the persistence of child labor:
* Poverty: This is the primary driver in India. Impoverished families often rely on their children's earnings to supplement household income.
* Lack of Access to Education: Many children in India are deprived of education and are instead engaged in work.
* Informal and Unorganized Economy: Small businesses and self-employed families in the unorganized sector frequently involve their children in work, leading to high rates of child employment in this informal economy.
* COVID-19 Pandemic: The pandemic resulted in job losses and orphaned children, directly contributing to an increase in child laborers.
* Natural Disasters: Climate change and natural disasters disproportionately affect rural households dependent on agriculture. When crops fail, families struggle to meet their needs, often leading to children bearing the responsibility of earning a livelihood.
* Lack of Awareness: There is a significant lack of awareness in many countries, including India, regarding children's rights.
* Conflicts, War, and Migration: According to the ILO, over half of the total displaced population due to war are children. These children are highly vulnerable to exploitation, including child labor, due to increased economic hardship, disrupted education, and limited access to basic services. Girls are particularly at risk of sexual exploitation and human trafficking, which are considered among the worst forms of child labor.
The hashtags used in the original text, , , , , , , , , and , collectively emphasize the multi-faceted approach required to address child labor, linking it to poverty, education, and the overall well-being and development of children.

11/06/2025

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Photos from Read&lead INDIA Foundation's post 16/05/2025

Good News! Library Movement Gains New Momentum In Meaningful Discussion on Social Harmony Concludes!
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar: A significant discussion session aimed at promoting social harmony and the importance of libraries in the city concluded successfully. The program, jointly organized by the Read and Lead Foundation and the Global Medical Foundation, witnessed enthusiastic participation from prominent individuals and students from various fields at the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Research Center on Saturday.
The discussion, centered on the theme "Social Harmony and Movement: A Need of the Hour," featured Islamic scholar Abdul Majeed Parekh, who expressed deep concern over the current social scenario and emphasized the need to foster mutual brotherhood and understanding. He also shed light on the potential negative impacts of social media.
Dr. Smita Avachar shared her views, expressing concern over increasing apathy in society and the spread of misinformation. She highlighted the necessity of establishing libraries as centers of knowledge and accurate information. Mohammed Hussain, Secretary of Faiz-e-Aam Trust, drew attention to the adverse effects of mobile phones on youth and urged their judicious use.
Presiding over the program, retired Principal Dr. Sheikh Abdul Samad emphasized the importance of books, describing them as an unfailing source of knowledge. Mirza Abdul Qayyum Nadvi, President of the Read and Lead Foundation, introduced the program, while Abdul Wahab skillfully conducted the proceedings. Masiuddin Siddiqui expressed gratitude towards everyone.
The presence of a large number of people, including students from Sant Savata Mali Hostel, demonstrated the public's support for this initiative. Activists like Mirza Talib Beg, Firoz Sheikh, Abul Hasan, and Mohammed Tayyab made significant contributions to the success of the event.
This successful event will undoubtedly provide new momentum to the library movement in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and prove to be a positive step towards strengthening social harmony. This initiative by Mission Maryam Mirza Mohalla Mohalla Library is an inspiration for promoting the importance of knowledge and unity.
Goodwill Librarian

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