"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
5 Jun 2023
Tukaram Adsul, a dedicated teacher from Ahmednagar district, is on a mission to keep his students engaged and away from excessive cellphone usage. Every day, despite the scorching heat and challenging terrain, the 52-year-old zilla parishad teacher carries two bags filled with storybooks, novels, and comics to visit his students' homes near Gitewadi village. The children, currently enjoying their summer vacation, eagerly await his arrival to exchange the books they read the previous week.
Since his transfer to Gitewadi in 2018, Adsul has been actively promoting a reading culture among the children. He established a library in the ZP school with the help of community participation and donations, housing hundreds of books. On Saturdays, he introduced a unique initiative where students come to school solely to read storybooks, leaving their school bags behind.
Starting with illustrated books published by the State Council of Educational Research and Training, Adsul distributed books to underprivileged children. As they developed an interest in reading, they craved more. Adsul sought the help of villagers, encouraging them to donate books for birthdays and weddings. Understanding each student's preferences, he ensures to bring books tailored to their liking during his visits.
Adsul's students have surpassed their age in terms of language proficiency, tackling newspapers and articles that resonate with them. His future plans include introducing English storybooks, gradually increasing the difficulty level.
With every visit, Tukaram Adsul ignites a passion for reading within his students, ensuring that their summer vacations are filled with knowledge, imagination, and a lifelong love for books.