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In a significant move towards promoting digital literacy and fostering a love for reading among Indian children and youth, the Department of School Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India, joined hands with the National Book Trust, under the aegis of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in New Delhi today aims to establish an institutional framework for the development of the Digital Library Platform, Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya.
Mr K. Sanjay Murthy, Secretary of the Department of Higher Education emphasised the pivotal role of non-academic books in shaping children’s future academic interests. He urged the National Book Trust to engage faculty members from academic institutes to contribute quality content for inclusion in Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya.
Echoing the sentiment, Mr Sanjay Kumar, Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSE&L) underscored the significance of cultivating reading habits among individuals and highlighted the accessibility aspect of Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, which will be available round-the-clock, transcending geographic barriers. He stressed the role of the Content Enrichment Committee in curating a diverse collection of books, foreseeing over 10,000 titles in more than 100 languages within the next few years.
Mrs Awasthi accentuated the importance of incorporating non-academic titles in the digital library and disclosed that over 1,000 books in 23 languages, including English, have already been curated for Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya.
Designed to cater to the reading preferences of children and adolescents aged 3-18 years, Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya will offer over 1,000 non-academic books published by reputed publishers in multiple languages. The platform aims to bridge the digital divide by providing device-agnostic accessibility and categorising books according to age groups specified in the National Education Policy 2020.
Salient features of the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya include a user-friendly app available for both Android and iOS devices, a diverse range of genres, and content aimed at fostering cultural awareness and empathy. The initiative is aligned with the vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, focussing on inclusivity and cultural unity.
By signing the MoU, the Department of School Education and the National Book Trust commit to collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing the educational environment and nurturing a culture of reading among the youth of India. The initiative holds the promise of transforming the landscape of non-academic reading materials across the country and instilling healthy reading habits in the younger generation.
India is committed to equipping students with essential skills tailored for success in the digital age, ensuring they thrive amidst technological advancements and global transformations. Through innovative educational initiatives and robust digital literacy programmes, India seeks to empower its youth to navigate and excel in an increasingly digitalised world, while also extending efforts to facilitate upskilling opportunities for teachers and educators, ensuring inclusivity and broader societal empowerment.
The National Education Policy advocates for a digital transformation in Indian education, promoting the integration of technology and multilingualism. Initiatives like PM e-VIDYA, launched under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan, provide free access to digital education resources, including DIKSHA and QR-coded Energised Textbooks.
PM eVidya expands through DTH TV Channels and platforms like Shiksha Vani, prioritising inclusive education and critical thinking. Additionally, efforts are underway to establish virtual labs and skilling e-labs, supported by ICT initiatives, to enhance technological infrastructure in schools.
OpenGov Asia reported on the collaboration between CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR-NML) and the Knowledge and Awareness Mapping Platform (KAMP), which facilitated an online teacher training initiative aimed at transforming science education through technology.
Over 150 educators nationwide participated, engaging in sessions led by CSIR-NML scientists on innovative teaching methodologies and experiential learning. This initiative reflects a commitment to advancing science education and empowering educators with modern pedagogical approaches, fostering a generation equipped for India’s future innovation and development.
