'Let's give new life to old books'

Sharjah - Grade 7 student collects and distributes used books to those in need for free

We all, at some point or the other, have come across a situation when our cupboards are weighing down with overweight books (school books, competition books or even novels) and yet we are reluctant to simply toss them in trash.
Well, Venkatesan Sundar studying in Grade 7 at the Delhi Private School (DPS) Sharjah, has the solution. The eleven-year-old along with members of Students for the Earth Group (SFE) has initiated the "Pick N Drop-Text Book Recycling" drive. And the massive response the drive has attracted from across the country is overwhelming, says Venkatesan who won the prestigious Shaikh Hamdan Award in 2015 and Sharjah Award for Excellence in Education this year.
"Since the time we put up a poster mentioning the details of this initiative on the Facebook page of SFE, we have been getting calls from all across the UAE of people asking whether I have so and so book.
People from all corners of UAE have so many books that are simply stuffed in their cupboards, gathering dust and they don't know what to do with them. I have been going to all such people, collecting their used books to be given away to those in need."
The initiative has brought a lot of happiness and excitement among several students who were able to get important books (that are either too expensive or out of stock) for free!
In fact, students from grade 9 to grade 12 are the ones benefitting the most from the drive as many of the guides and reference books are not readily available even in the book shops, Venkatesan told Khaleej Times.
The event was initially launched for textbooks, reference books or preparatory books for entrance tests etc but since the group started getting storybooks, encyclopedias as well, they extended this drive to include all sorts of books. "My house is full of the books that I have collected in the past few weeks. I have collected more than 1,000 books of grades 1 to12 CBSE, ICSE, GCSE curriculums and general storybooks, encyclopedias etc," he said.
Talking about the herculean task of segregating the books grade wise, Venkatesan said: "It took me about 4-5 days to sort the books. I then posted the pictures of the books on our FB page so that those who needed them could contact me. Also, reference books of senior classes are usually very expensive so it's a good idea to reuse someone's books rather than spending so much on new ones."
It has become a platform for everyone to come and give the books they no longer need and take away the books (from our collection) they need for their current academic session or for general studying.
"I would be conducting this drive every year as it is a great way to help spread the joy of reading to many more people. Many people have a bad habit of simply throwing away their books at the end of an academic session to make space for a fresh lot of books. They don't take the pain to find out if anyone else needs them. That mindset needs to change. There is value in everything we have and make. Let's not waste it. Let's give new life to old books by passing them to those who need them," young Venkatesan said.
Youth-led initiatives are capable of changing society in meaningful ways. This initiative is aimed in the right direction to make a positive change.
For joining the SFE group, you can email on studentsfortheearth@gmail.com and visit their FB page https://www.facebook.com/studentsfortheearth?ref=hl
saman@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Sharjah