Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Nov 1: The magic of books, storytelling and imagination came alive at Delhi Public School (DPS) Srinagar, Athwajan, on Sunday as the eighth Srinagar edition of Bookaroo - Festival of Children's Literature witnessed an enthusiastic participation of around 5,000 children, parents, teachers and literary enthusiasts from across the Kashmir Valley.
Organised under the aegis of the D.P. Dhar Memorial Trust, the day-long festival brought together young readers from several districts, including Srinagar, Budgam, Bandipora, Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama, Baramulla and Ganderbal, among others, turning the DPS Srinagar campus into a vibrant space of creativity, discovery and literary exploration.
The festival was supported by Encash Mahindra and Amandeep Ujala Hospital, Bemina, whose support contributed to making the literary celebration possible.
With this year's theme, "Where Books Come Alive," the festival offered children an opportunity to move beyond conventional reading experiences and immerse themselves in a world of storytelling, art, illustration, music, drama and interactive learning.
The festival featured 11 speakers from eight cities across India, with a carefully curated programme of 21 sessions catering to children between the ages of 4 and 14. Acclaimed authors, storytellers, illustrators, artists and creative practitioners engaged young participants through imaginative storytelling, hands-on workshops and thought-provoking interactions.
From tales of talking animals and magical mangroves to mountains of adventure, nature, history and environmental awareness, the sessions encouraged children to explore new ideas, ask questions and express their creativity. Art-based activities, interactive storytelling and opportunities to meet authors further enriched the experience.
Speaking on the occasion, Swati Roy, Co-founder of Bookaroo, said, "Bookaroo has always believed that reading should be an experience children look forward to, rather than something they associate only with classrooms and textbooks. The enthusiasm we witnessed in Srinagar, particularly the participation of children from different districts, reflects the power of stories to bring young minds together. We hope every child who attended today leaves with a new story, a new idea and, most importantly, a greater love for books."
Shafaq Afshan, Principal, DPS Srinagar, said, "It is heartening to see nearly 5,000 children, parents and educators come together to celebrate the joy of reading and learning. At DPS Srinagar, we believe that education is about nurturing imagination, encouraging independent thinking and helping children discover their individual strengths. Bookaroo provides exactly this kind of enriching environment, where children learn through stories, creativity and meaningful interactions. We are delighted to have hosted this celebration and to have welcomed students from different parts of the Valley."
Roshni Vyam, author and artist, who participated in the festival for the first time in Srinagar, said, "It's my first time at Bookaroo Srinagar, and it's been a great and beautiful experience. I met such amazing and kind students at DPS. Small children were thanking me for taking the session, and that was really special. It was wonderful to interact with them, and I would love to continue this beautiful journey with Bookaroo. Thank you once again for such a memorable experience!" |
