My Numero Uno Pratham’s Champions Programme of 2015

My journey with Pratham Books began long before I became a Reading Champion. During my Creative Remixes days, I had used their Creative Commons images to create an original story. That experience left me with admiration for the organization’s mission: to make books more accessible, affordable, and joyful for children. So, when I first heard about the Champions Programme in 2015, it immediately caught my attention. This was a new initiative for me, and I was both curious and eager to be part of it. Pratham was sharing updates about it widely on social media — on Twitter and Facebook — and I felt the buzz build up as the launch approached.

The idea behind the programme was simple yet powerful: to increase children’s love for books through collective storytelling. That year’s edition was linked to International Literacy Day (8th September) and was specially flagged off on Teacher’s Day (5th September). The choice was symbolic — after all, teachers are often the first to open the world of stories and knowledge to young minds. The theme book for 2015 was The Boy and the Drum by Umesh P. N., illustrated by Rajiv Eipe. It was designed to be read and shared in communities, schools, and homes all-across the country on a single day, making it truly a “One Day One Story” celebration.

When I registered for the programme, I was excited but also felt a ripple of nervousness. I’ve always carried a streak of nervous energy before stepping into something new, but my love for books has always outweighed the doubts. I knew that if I could spark even a small interest in reading among children, the effort would be worthwhile. My first instinct was to keep it small — perhaps a quiet reading session at home with the students I tutored. But the thought of reaching a wider audience refused to leave me. Deep down, I wanted to take the story to more children, to make the experience bigger than my living room.

Serendipity soon paved the way. Quite unexpectedly, I came across Government Girls Higher Secondary School (GGHSS), Ashok Nagar, Chennai. Something about the timing felt right. I approached the Headmistress, Mrs. R. C. Saraswathi, with my idea. To my delight, she was enthusiastic and immediately saw the value in it. She introduced me to the school’s Drama teacher, Mrs. K. S. Latha, who became my pillar of support. Mrs. Latha’s energy, creativity, and practical advice smoothed the path forward. Since the school would be closed on Teacher’s Day, we fixed the session for 4th September 2015, just a day earlier.

On the morning of the session, I felt the weight of the challenge sink in. It wasn’t just about reading a story — it was about holding the attention of a classroom full of young girls and helping them see the joy hidden within the pages. Mrs. Latha kindly set aside two whole periods for us, and together we planned a mix of reading and enactment to bring the book alive. Before starting, I gave the children a small pep-talk on how to approach the text without stage directions, encouraging them to focus on the characters and their voices. Then Mrs. Latha added her trademark flair, guiding them with expressive instructions and playful energy.

The magic unfolded right in front of me. Ten students were chosen to read and act out The Boy and the Drum. They first practiced the story, finding their rhythm, and then performed it as a finale. Each child brought her own interpretation — a louder voice here, a dramatic gesture there, a mischievous twinkle in the eye that perfectly fit the character. The classroom filled with laughter, energy, and the sound of words coming alive. It was no longer just a reading session; it had become a performance, a collective act of joy.

What struck me most was the enthusiasm that lingered even after the enactment ended. We gathered for a discussion, and the children eagerly shared their thoughts about the story. Some spoke about the characters, others about how much fun it was to perform, and a few even asked when the next session would be. Their excitement was so genuine that they felt waiting a whole year for another event was too long. That moment touched me deeply — it showed how hungry children are for opportunities to engage with stories when given the chance.

For me, that day was a turning point. It wasn’t just about successfully completing my first Champions Programme session. It was about discovering the transformative power of reading aloud, of sharing a story in a way that brings eyes to sparkle and imaginations to bloom. I realized then that a book can become a lifelong friend, an anchor of inspiration through all seasons of life.

The One Day One Story drive of 2015 was my first step in a much longer journey. It taught me that nervousness is not a barrier but a sign that we care deeply about what we’re doing. And it reminded me that the true reward lies in seeing children embrace reading with curiosity and joy. Every smile, every spirited attempt to make the story their own, was proof that the effort mattered.

Looking back, that day remains etched in my memory — the beginning of my path as a Reading Champion, and the spark that continues to guide me in spreading the love of books and stories wherever I can.

Source: Pratham Reading Champions 2015

Credit: Cleaned by Mira (AI Powered ChatGPT)