Mumbai, Allcargo Group, the Indian-born global logistics conglomerate recently organised a School Library Programme in the Zilla Parishad schools at Bhendkhal and Uran, Maharashtra in association with the Zilla Parishad of Raigad. The programme is aimed at inculcating reading habits among students, encouraging them to read books and gain knowledge. As part of the initiative, Allcargo Group is providing more than 6,000 books, benefiting 1,417 students in 12 Zilla Parishad schools. This aligns with our Founder and Chairman Mr. Shashi Kiran Shetty's vision of promoting education as a cornerstone for nation-building and fostering a solid foundation for the future. By creating a conducive environment, Allcargo Group empowers students to become competitive and prepared for a brighter future ahead.
The school library serves as a repository of information for both students and staff in schools. When children visit their school library, it acts as a conduit to a world of knowledge, contributing to their overall development.
With easy access to digital handheld entertainment, students often end up shunning the joys of reading. We aim to re-inculcate the reading habit in children by filling their school libraries with books handpicked by expert librarians. The repertoire includes books and comics on general knowledge, history, and Indian mythology in Marathi, Hindi, and English.
Mr. Nilratan Shende, CSR Head of Allcargo Logistics said, "Allcargo Groups' CSR initiatives have touched over 400,000 lives. We are committed to nurturing the community through various programmes on skill development, women empowerment, livelihood etc. One of our main areas of emphasis is education. Through our school library programme, we hope to encourage students to read regularly, and to give them access to information and tools that will enhance their education, thus reducing their screen time''.
A recent study published in JAMA Paediatrics revealed that since the pandemic, screen time among children has gone up by 52 percent, globally. The study found that children who were exposed to an average of two hours of screen time a day performed worse on attention and executive function tests at the age of nine. According to a recent study by Indian-origin professors at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as mobile-phone access becomes widespread in India, children are spending up to three-four hours daily on screens, exceeding the recommended screen time limit of 60 minutes a day, or about 420 minutes a week, set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). In order to reduce screen time and promote healthy reading habits, parents and educators may encourage children to read more books. Reading books also promotes literacy, improves cognitive skills and boosts creativity.
The programme has helped enrich teaching and learning programmes, support inquiry-driven learning, literacy and reading. It has also aided improving the schools' value amid the community and has made students understand the importance of information and literacy.
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