Three Years of  Read with a Teacher

                                     Three Years of  Read with a Teacher

Reading enthusiasts gathered on the evening of the 24th to celebrate the third anniversary of "Read with a Teacher," a campaign promoting the joy of reading. Over the last three years, we’ve explored 53 books, primarily from the genre of educational literature. On this occasion, a panel discussion was organized featuring esteemed panelists: Prof. Dhananjay Joshi, VC of Delhi Teachers University; Dr. B.P. Pandey, the visionary behind the program; Dr. Ajay Choubey, whom I regard as an oasis in school education—a rare individual who has kept academic spirit alive; and Chandan Jha, the chief architect of the "Read with a Teacher" campaign. The discussion was moderated by Sh. Shailendra Sharma, a former advisor to the Director of Education and a prominent figure in educational policy.

At the outset, I welcomed the panelists and the audience, sharing an analogy on how I view this event. As a teacher in a system, one is like a bird bringing sticks to the balcony to build a nest, largely unaware of the larger context—of who will protect or dismantle it. Sometimes, the bird receives support from kind inhabitants, successfully building its nest. In the larger system, teachers occupy a similar position, relying on a supportive few to build meaningful programs. The people gathered here form one such community who has supported this initiative over the years.

I shared a brief overview of our journey and highlighted why reading is now more essential than ever. We live in an increasingly complex world, layered with challenges that influence our lives and actions. Perhaps the only way to stay informed and equipped to navigate these complexities is through reading. In this age, reading has become more critical than ever. Many believe that people have lost interest in reading, but I wonder if this is part of what Tina Butcher describes in her book, If Then…The Power and Politics of Algorithms, as "programmed sociality." The constant distraction of social media, especially reels, can be seen as part of this programmed reality. As Shoshana Zuboff argues in The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, the goal is not merely to automate tasks for us but to automate us. A society that doesn’t engage with critical literature can easily be controlled and manipulated.

On the joy of reading, I explained that the act of reading itself may not always be joyful, but the meaning we derive from it brings joy. Like the morning sunlight illuminating trees, gradually revealing their shape, leaves, and the surroundings, reading gradually reveals the layers of phenomena around us, bringing clarity. That’s the joy of reading.

During the panel discussion, Sh. Shailendra Sharma adeptly engaged the panelists and audience, prompting reflections on how they became immersed in the world of reading. The audience shared their favorite books, and it was fascinating to see how challenging it was for reading enthusiasts to choose just one favorite. I sensed a wonderful academic curiosity and excitement. I took note of the book titles shared and considered organizing future sessions around them. I approached Jasmeet, the CEO of Creatnet Education, and requested her to join us for the next session of "Read with a Teacher" by reading Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire.

The future of "Read with a Teacher" looks promising. Delhi Teachers University and Re-Pedagogy have expressed their support, which will further strengthen this campaign.

The event's closing was particularly memorable, as the forum honored Dr. B.P. Pandey with the Lifetime Achievement Award. In his 33 years of service, he has inspired a generation of educational leaders. Presenting this award, Prof. Joshi remarked, “It is an honor for the award itself that we recognize such a legendary figure.” "Read with a Teacher" was conceived and sustained largely due to Dr. Pandey’s unwavering support, and this forum, which I call the Global Alliance of Leaders in Education (GALE), will always be indebted to him.