Updated on: Monday, December 21, 2015
Former President, A P J Abdul Kalam 's birth anniversary will be observed as 'Vaachan Prerna Din' (reading inspiration day) across Maharashtra, every year. Education Minister, Vinod Tawde told the Assembly on December 17 that the government has decided to observe the birth anniversary of Abdul Kalam as 'Vaachan Prerna Din'.
According to PTI reports, replying to a question by Dhananjay Gadgil (BJP) during the question hour, Tawde said that the key objective of the decision is to ensure that students get inspired by late Kalam's distinguished life. "Schools will organise writing, quiz contests and other activities while celebrating Kalam's birthday. The funds available under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan would be utilised for conducting these activities," the Minister said.
Tawde also said that the government would also set up more libraries to encourage the habit of reading. The government is also planning to launch mobile libraries in cities like Mumbai and Pune.
This year, Maharashtra celebrated 'No School Bag Day ' for all the students of class 3 to 8. The students were also motivated to read non-academic books including novels and poetry as a tribute to Abdul Kalam who was an avid reader himself. Abdul Kalam, the 11th President of India, was born in Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu on October 15, 1931 and passed away on July 28 this year.