08/09/2015

Happy ILD day!

I love to write. I love to read. And I love thinking back to a childhood where I would dive into the mystery world of litterature. Be gone, travel off, be lost there. For hours. For days. Come to think of it, I can still do that. Oh, the wonderful joy of the written word. The amazing force of it. Powerful. Joyful. Provocative. Soothing.

I can not imagine how my life would be witout writing and reading. Can you?

Today is International Literacy Day (ILD). Today we focus on raising awareness for those who can not read or write. Today we give children and communities a chance to rediscover the joy of reading while raising awareness for those without access to education. Or as UNESCO says:

International Literacy Day was first celebrated in 1966. It's aim is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies. On International Literacy Day, UNESCO reminds the international community of the status of literacy and adult learning globally. Some 775 million adults lack minimum literacy skills; one in five adults is still not literate and two-thirds of them are women. 60.7 million children are out-of-school and many more attend irregularly or drop out

As for me, on a day like this, my mind goes to Meena. It is unavoidable. To shy Meena, and her love for reading. Her love for books. To her humble gratefulnes of being able to take a book home with her. To her joy, enthusiasm and engagement. To my little book lover Meena. My mind and my heart goes to her and to all her fellow class mates. To the kids who couldn't believe it was true - that they could borrow a book with them. The kids who laughed and danced and celebrated vividly with me, when we established our little community library. What a joy! A library of our own. My fellow book lovers.

Today we celebrate the joy of writing and reading. May it never be taken for granted.

Today I want to celebrate Meena. For coming into my life. For teaching me. Gratitude. Joy. Compassion. This is for her and for all the Meenas of the world.

For Meena.


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22 comments:

  1. Unknown8 September 2015 at 15:13

    Lovely post to celebrate literacy, writing, and reading. Not sure where I would be without any of the three. ♥

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    1. Unknown8 September 2015 at 22:22

      I know right. Thanks a lot for visiting dear Kathy:-)

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  2. Anabel Marsh8 September 2015 at 16:39

    Hurrah! Always a big cheer for libraries.
    Anabel's Travel Blog
    Adventures of a retired librarian

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    1. Unknown8 September 2015 at 22:22

      Yay, happy to see you here again Anabel dear:-)

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  3. Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan8 September 2015 at 17:43

    true.. i would be nothing too without it... reading opened up a world for me that i just could not have imagined. As for writing, well... still here blogging after all these years :D

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    1. Unknown8 September 2015 at 22:27

      Thank you so muc Roshan for sharing and for visiting:-)

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  4. Anonymous9 September 2015 at 06:37

    It's so good of you to do such noble acts. Hope many more Meenas get to read and spread knowledge around. Keep it up, Eli:)

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    1. Unknown9 September 2015 at 08:40

      Thanks alot dear friend:-) Yes, I hope so too

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  5. the little princess9 September 2015 at 07:24

    what a heartwarming story! may more Meenas get the chance to read and write!

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  6. Francene Stanley9 September 2015 at 11:32

    What an inspiring post. You've awakened the childhood joy of reading in me afresh. How I loved reading a story when I was young. Bless you in your endeavors.

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    1. Unknown9 September 2015 at 13:18

      Thank you so much Francene:-) Very happy to see you here:-)

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  7. Nabanita9 September 2015 at 11:56

    Oh I cannot imagine a world where I couldn't read or write! Oh the mere thought of it scares me... But it's equally true there are so many children in the world who have been devoid of this joy... You are doing a wonderful job...May there be more Meena's who get to discover this world of reading and writing :)

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    1. Unknown9 September 2015 at 13:19

      Thanks a lot dear Naba:-) Happy to connect with you again. Big hugs sweetie

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  8. Corinne Rodrigues9 September 2015 at 13:26

    I would be so lost without my books! I know how much of your heart you put into that project, Eli. Perhaps someday, you'll meet Meena, all grown up and a teacher? :)

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    1. Unknown9 September 2015 at 14:32

      Thank you so much for your always so kind and encouraging support dear Corinne. What a wonderful idea- I wish:-) Hugs

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  9. Obsessivemom10 September 2015 at 17:02

    You're doing wonderfully Eli. Thanks for this reminder to be grateful for this gift to be able to read and write.

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  10. Sid @ iwrotethose.com11 September 2015 at 12:36

    Nothing like the gift of reading and writing! You're doing a fantastic job, Eli!

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    1. Unknown13 September 2015 at 22:24

      Thanks a lot Sid, I appreciate your kind words:-)

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  11. Ajay Pai13 September 2015 at 14:52

    I do not read much. But now i realize, if i wasn't able to write, what would I have done. Very inspiring post to celebrate, literacy.

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    1. Unknown13 September 2015 at 22:24

      So true, right? Thanks alot Ajay, happy to see you here:-)

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