Gujarat to distribute Rs2 crore worth vouchers for books

After the Vaanche Gujarat campaign in which more than 50 lakh students and people across the state will read for an hour on October 30, the state government will organise 50 book fairs across the state. Chief minister Narendra Modi will join the programme at the central library at Sector 17 in Gandhinagar and read along with others.

Hasmukh Adhia, principal secretary of state education department, said that in the mega even more than 50 lakh students will read for an hour across the state. "This will inspire students to read during the Diwali vacations," said Adhia. He said they will also organise a 'Best Reader' competition in December, where nearly 25 lakh students from across the state will participate and read nearly 1 crore books.

"The winners will be distributed books worth Rs2 crore. We will not buy books for the distribution but will give vouchers to them for purchase of books of their choice," he said. He further said that to felicitate book buying particularly for the rural students, they will organise 50 book fairs across the state.

Talking about the 'Best Reader' event, Adhia said it will be decided by a screening committee formed at various levels. "The committee will cross check the claims of the students about the book reading and they will be interviewed by the committee members about the same. The students will also be evaluated in terms of their understanding of the books.”