MoU Signing for Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya: Enhancing Reading Culture in India

Books will be categorized by age groups, as per NEP 2020, catering to readers aged 3-18 years, and will provide device-agnostic accessibility.

The Department of School Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Book Trust to create an institutional framework for the Digital Library Platform, Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya. The signing ceremony took place in New Delhi, attended by distinguished officials including Secretary of Department of Higher Education, Shri K. Sanjay Murthy, Secretary of Department of School Education & Literacy, Shri Sanjay Kumar, Joint Secretary, Smt. Archana Sharma Awasthi, and other senior Ministry officials.

Key Points Highlighted:

Importance of Non-Academic Books:

Shri K. Sanjay Murthy emphasized the role of non-academic books in shaping children's interests and future academic pursuits. He urged the National Book Trust to involve faculty members in writing quality books for inclusion in Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya.

Promotion of Reading Habits:

Shri Sanjay Kumar highlighted the significance of cultivating a habit of reading among children and adolescents. Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya will ensure round-the-clock accessibility to books, addressing the challenge of the 'last mile' presence of libraries in many states.

Content Enrichment and Inclusion:

The Content Enrichment Committee will curate books for Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, aiming to include over 10,000 books in more than 100 languages in the next 2-3 years.

Smt. Awasthi stressed the importance of including non-academic titles and informed about the addition of over 1,000 books in 23 languages, including English.

Features and Accessibility:

Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya app will be available for download on Android and iOS devices, offering books in multiple genres and fostering cultural awareness and empathy.

Books will be categorized by age groups, as per NEP 2020, catering to readers aged 3-18 years, and will provide device-agnostic accessibility.

Panel Discussion:

A panel discussion on "Re-discovering Reading Habits in Bharatiya Youth" was held, featuring insights from experts in the Indian publishing industry. Attendees included Ministry of Education officials, school principals, publishers, scholars, members of the media, and other stakeholders.

 

The signing of the MoU between DoSEL and the National Book Trust marks a collaborative effort to promote healthy reading habits and bridge the digital divide in India. Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya will revolutionize the availability of quality non-academic reading materials, contributing to the holistic development of children and youth across the country.