The British Council Library in Pune has served as the knowledge centre and go-to place for Punekars since 1960. To celebrate the Library’s 60th year in Pune, British Council, in association with the Reading Agency, UK, has brought the prestigious Reading Challengeto India, starting with Pune. The global challenge that has encouraged young readers to participate and compete with peers is celebrating 50 years of humans landing on the moon with this year’s theme of Space Chase.
There are various studies to that say that reading improves language skills and makes you knowledgeable, enhances creativity and improves brain functioning, promotes quicker thinking and improves mental health. The four-week challenge, open to children from the age of 6 to 11 will be rolled-out on 27th July. The Children participating in the Pune Reading Challenge will have to read 4 books of their choicein 4 weeks over the competition period. The British Council will organise multiple workshops for participants to help them improve reading speeds and acquire storytelling and creative writing skills.
The competition will also test the participants’ writing and narrating skills. Designed on the principle of encouragement and motivation, the Challenge will reward participants on completion of a book. The Reading Challenge will culminate in a mega award ceremony at the British Council Library, where winners from each age group will be felicitated and awarded certificates in the presence of parents and other participants at the 60th Anniversary Celebrations mega-event on August 31.Winners will also receive an annual Family Library membership, or complimentary annual Family membership renewal in case of existing members.
British Council Library members and non-members can enrol for the Reading Challenge. Registrations are open from July 21.
On the occasion, Gunjan Narula, Head of British Council in Pune said, “It is a moment of delight as the British Council Library in Pune enters the 60th year and we are celebrating this important milestone with Punekars through an exciting series of learning events specifically catering to children and parents. With a focus on inspiring learning and creativity, we are seeing a consistent increase in the number of family memberships where parents bring their kids to the library for a family’s day out to build an affinity towards reading, learning and social interaction.”
“We understand the significance of reading in shaping an individual’s growth and we are therefore bringing Reading Challenge, one of the popular programmes of UK to India, starting with the city of Pune. Reading Challenge will inculcate the habit of reading amongst children – making them confident individuals and storytellers as they grow up,” she said.
The British Council Library in Pune stays true to its promise of creating an unconventional space which is safe and child friendly. The family membership of the library entails a lot of benefits, providing an environment that nurtures learning and growth.
Interested people could register in the following ways:
Visit: British Council, Third floor, Ramsukh House, Ganeshkhind Road, Near Sancheti Hospital, Shivaji Nagar, Pune
Email: sneha.phadke@britishcouncil.orgor call 8879826821 to know more
