Turning pages, opening minds – VSEC ignites the joy of reading at SOS Village with the session ‘ASS’
| Books serve as windows to the world |
| In an age dominated by digital media, the value of reading remains timeless. The Vidya Social Empowerment Center (VSEC), an initiative of the Vidya International Charitable Trust recognizes the transformative power of books and continues to promote a reading culture among the youth. Every year, National Reading Day is observed on June 19 to commemorate the contributions of the late P.N. Panicker, the father of the Library Movement in Kerala |
| ASS (Aspire Synergy Showcase) |
| In line with this vision, an inspiring set of activities titled ‘ASS’ (Aspire Synergy Showcase) was organized at SOS Village, Mulayam, on 12 July 2025 under the auspices of VSEC and Vidya Central Library.Spearheaded by Ms. Surabhi M S (Assistant Librarian, VSEC Member) and supported wholeheartedly by VSEC student volunteers including Gayathri (S5, ECE Dept) and Abraham (S5, ECE Dept), the event unfolded smoothly with the collective effort of all involved . |
| The session began with a brief keynote address by Ms. Surabhi, in which she highlighted the importance of reading and how ‘Reading Day’ serves as a reminder of the profound influence that books and literature have on students’ lives. She underscores the vital role literature plays in personal growth and the development of a more informed and thoughtful society. |
| Books open, thoughts ignite – students journey into a world of words READ – Rise to Explore & Aspire to Depth To promote reading as a regular habit among high school (HS) and higher secondary school (HSS) students, a session was organized as part of the celebration. Students from all sections participated enthusiastically in the activity. They reviewed the books they had read and presented thoughtful critical analyses. Classroom discussions further enriched the experience, allowing students to share insights about the books they enjoyed, highlight memorable characters and events, and express personal reflections. They also had the opportunity to contribute creative captions and share their perspectives with peers |
| Session on Effective Measures for Global Warming |
| Global warming is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. In alignment with this alarming reality, Gayathri delivered an impactful session titled “Effective Measures for Global Warming.” In her session, Gayathri emphasised the proactive role of the government, highlighting initiatives such as: Promotion of solar power, Adoption of electric vehicles, Large-scale tree planting drives, and Enforcement of plastic bans. She also highlighted the power of individual action. According to her, everyone can contribute to the fight against global warming by: Saving electricity, Reducing plastic usage, Walking or cycling instead of using vehicles, and Planting trees to increase green cover. A key message of her session was the importance of awareness. She stressed that even small efforts, when multiplied across communities, can lead to significant positive change. |
| Session on the importance of Communication Skills |
| English is a globally accepted language with immense significance across various fields of society. Due to its universal reach and influence, it is taught in schools, colleges, and other educational institutions. In line with this, Abraham handled a session where he emphasized the importance of communication skills—defined as the abilities we use to share information, ideas, emotions, and intentions with others. He highlighted that effective communication is not only about what we say, but also how we say it—our tone, clarity, and body language play a crucial role |
| Empowerment Activity: Introducing My Friend |
| As part of the communication and personality development session, an empowerment activity titled “Introducing My Friend” was conducted.. The challenge was to speak confidently in English, maintain eye contact, and present relevant and positive details about the person. This exercise helped students to actively listen, understand others better, and present their thoughts in a clear and respectful manner. |
| The session, led by Ms Surabhi was highly engaging. She provided valuable feedback on body language, tone of voice, and choice of words. He also encouraged everyone to appreciate each other and speak with kindness and clarity. |
| Antakshari brings language skills into the spotlight! |
| As part of the communication skills enhancement program, an engaging activity was conducted to help students improve their grammar and vocabulary in a fun and interactive way. The activity was a modified version of Antakshari, traditionally a music-based game, but in this session, it was creatively adapted to focus on new English words and correct sentence formation.Participants, instead of singing songs, had to say a new English word starting with the last letter of the previous word said by the other team |
| Honouring the Enthusiasts |
| Gifts were distributed to all students as a source of inspiration, further encouraging them to explore the joy of reading and express their reflections with confidence. The celebration concluded with a ceremonial cake cutting, symbolizing the sweet memories shared and the meaningful bonds formed with the students. A variety of engaging activities added vibrance to the event and helped foster a strong sense of community among all participants. Other highlights included interactive sessions, joyful group performances, and creative displays that reflected the spirit of collaboration and the joy of reading |
| The Editorial Team of News & Events joins the entire Vidya fraternity in extending heartiest congratulations to Ms Surabhi,Gayathri and Abraham on the successful conduct of the sessions that inspires participants to recognize their strengths, develop new competencies, and fostering self-confidence, resilience, and a sense of ownership over their growth !!! |
