As schools reopen after summer vacation, Bikash Satpathy of Basudevpur in Bhadrak district, Odisha, is preparing for an unusual task: collecting more than 1,000 books he lent to children during the two-month break. Over the next few weeks, he will travel across Basudevpur and nearby areas in Bhadrak, as well as parts of neighbouring Bahanaga in Balasore, to retrieve the books.
Initiative aims to reduce screen time
While many children spent summer holidays on mobile phones, video games, and social media, Satpathy offered them a different companion through his ‘Mobile Chada, Bahi Padha’ initiative. With a network of volunteers, he distributed storybooks, novels, poetry collections, and children's literature, encouraging students to read during vacation. The campaign seeks to counter the post-pandemic trend of children spending excessive time on screens.
Satpathy, originally from Bahanaga, moved to Basudevpur years ago after his wife was transferred there. In 1990, he established a library-cum-museum in Bahanaga with his own resources to promote reading among locals. He still travels to Bahanaga every alternate day to manage the library and extend his campaign.
Community-driven book distribution
The initiative began a year ago when Satpathy noticed children increasingly scrolling on mobile phones instead of reading or playing outdoors. He started collecting children's books from friends, well-wishers, and donors. What began as a modest effort grew into a community campaign led by Satpathy and his team of volunteers, primarily retired teachers who share his vision.
“This summer vacation, we travelled to many areas in Basudevpur and Bahanaga, which is just 15 km away, to distribute books among children in neighbourhoods, schools and coaching centres,” Satpathy said. He maintains a detailed register of every title distributed. “This campaign finds support from teachers at private schools and coaching centres because government schools already have their libraries. I give out books and record them in my register, while teachers help collect them back after 15 days or a month, which is usually the time a child takes to finish reading a book,” he added.
Library-cum-museum gains recognition
Satpathy’s library-cum-museum has earned recognition among librarians across several districts, prompting many people to donate books monthly. “There are several Good Samaritans who ask me how they can help keep the library and the campaign running. I just ask them for books,” said Satpathy, who after completing his education at Utkal University decided to open a library for children in his village. His wife works at the Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers Federation.
Year-round reading activities
The campaign extends beyond summer. On weekends, Satpathy and volunteers visit neighbourhoods, school hostels, and public spaces, handing out books and encouraging children to form reading circles and discuss what they read. Impromptu reading sessions are organised where children read aloud and share thoughts on stories. “We also hold debate and storytelling competitions and reward winners with books and small prizes. It helps children improve their reading, speaking and comprehension skills,” he said.
For Satpathy, the effort is about preserving a habit fading in the age of digital distractions. Every child who picks up a book, he believes, takes a step towards curiosity, imagination, and lifelong learning.
