“If you are going to get anywhere in life you have to read a lot of books.”
This line by Roald Dahl inspired Dr Navniit Gandhi to write a book, so as to wean kids, off screens and towards Books. Her 11th Book, titled: Papa, Please Read TO Me, Tonight is published by Better Yourself Books (BYB), Mumbai, and is targeted at kids in the age group of 4-10 years.
As stated by Dr Navniit Gandhi in numerous speeches and articles, it pains her to see kids staring excessively at screens and losing their playful and creative spirits, besides becoming expressionless and dull. This is her attempt to draw them towards turning fresh and crisp pages of a book that has stories for them; interesting fun-facts; new words and simple suggestions to help them cope with their little issues.
Indiansinkuwait.com organized the Release of this Book at the Indian School of Excellence on the evening of Friday, 25th April. Dr Navniit Gandhi is an integral member of the larger IIK family and also is one of the founder-members of Indian Women In Kuwait (IWIK). This was the third occasion when IIK organized the release of a Book authored by Navniit Gandhi. It was a heart-warming sight to see the auditorium filled to capacity by cute little innocent faces, accompanied by their eager and happy parents, for this Release. Along with the Directors of indiansinkuwait.com: Mr Wilson D’Souza and Mr George Mathews, other notable attendees included Mrs C. Sheeja, Principal, ICSK Junior and Geetika Ahuja, Principal, Aspire Indian International School.
The event was very impeccably anchored by Soja. She welcomed the audience, and thanked IIK for always giving a special impetus to and organizing programs which benefit the society/community in all possible ways. She pointed out that how programs such as The Young Reporters Program or the Freedom From Gadgets programs were encouraging the young creative minds to read, write, think and also, play. She began by sharing her personal experiences on how she started reading and how reading impacted her personality.
Similar views were resonated when two lovely teenagers, who are already avid readers and smart speakers too: Malavika Vinod and Riona Arahna were also invited to speak on how their personalities were impacted by their parents inculcating in them a keen fondness for reading. They both shared their happy bonding with books, and also melodiously sang a delightful song on Reading!
This program was different from the usual ones, for there was no Chief Guest to release the Book. Instead, three lovely kids: Vishrutha Chakrabarty, Krishang Kanojia and Sharanya Saha were invited to unveil the book. They spoke, in their own witty and humorous styles that how they were very glad that their fathers were going to read to them, every night and that they were looking forward to listening to the stories included in the book by Navniit Aunty. Amidst a thunderous applause, a visibly enthused gathering welcomed the release of the book.
Noted trainer and orator Praveen Madhavan was the Guest Speaker on the occasion, and he wonderfully kept the audience engaged with his talk on how the children need to be essentially brought back to the world of books and kept away from screens. He read excerpts from the book, even as he exhorted everybody to take efforts to draw the kids towards reading habits. He complimented the author for her attempts at building a robust society.
Dr Navniit Gandhi, in her address, highlighted not just the need to read, but also the importance of reading a page or two just before closing the eyes at night, so that whatever is read seeps deep down in the mind. She said that for kids below the age of 10 years, listening to stories, read out aloud by parents or grandparents is more beneficial than reading by oneself. And hence, she pointed out, her Book aimed at strengthening the bond between a parent and the child.
She said: “To snuggle close to a parent or while seated on a lap of a parent and being read to, is one very joyful; very precious memory of a child. How can a child then not fall in love with books! It is the surest way for making a child an avid reader. This book is filled with raw materials, to build an invisible, magical bridge of pretty glad moments; that shall connect two hearts: one ripe and one, raw! Filled with anecdotes and folk tales; some new words; a few verses and wise lessons—this book shall nurture the mind and soothe the heart and fill the little tender eyes with wonder before they close for the night.”
She profusely thanked IndiansinKuwait.com for always being there for such endeavors, and supporting her in ways more than she could ask for. She also thanked all the speakers, and Soja and the audience for sharing with her the joys of this momentous occasion.
Soja concluded the program, echoing sentiments of gratitude for all the parents who had made the effort to be there with their kids and to IndiansinKuwait.com for organizing the event so very beautifully.
…………………………
In Kuwait, those interested in purchasing a copy of the Book may call at: 97692149
In India, the Book is available at Amazon.in
Amazon: https://www.amazon.in/dp/8171089569