12-year-old Hyderabad student invited to Independence Day celebration at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Hyderabad: Akarshana Sathish, a 12-year-old student from The Hyderabad Public School in Begumpet, has been honored as the only girl from Telangana to receive an invitation to the Independence Day event at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi on August 15, 2024. The 8th-grade student is recognised for her achievements in promoting literacy and her dedication to establishing libraries.
Akarshana, who currently maintains 15 libraries with a collection of 9,836 books, has recently received confirmation from L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad to set up an innovative library system in metro stations. This is in partnership with L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad and The National Book Trust, Delhi. Passengers will be able to borrow books from one station, read them during their journey, and return them at the next station’s kiosk.
Speaking with the Hyderabad Mail, Akarshana expressed her excitement about the invitation, saying, “It was a total surprise for me. I hadn’t expected it at all. Getting the invitation is a huge honor.”
She further said, “We have been invited to a reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan. I will be attending along with my father, and I am one of only 23 individuals invited from across the country. I will have the opportunity to interact with President Droupadi Murmu, share my goals and projects, and discuss my library initiatives.”
Akarshana’s father, Sathish, shared his pride and excitement, “I am thrilled to share that my daughter has received this extraordinary invitation from the President of India’s office. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity, as Akarshana will have the unique honor of dining with President Droupadi Murmu. It’s an incredible recognition, and she is the only girl selected for this prestigious Independence Day event.”
From South India, five individuals have been selected and three from Tamil Nadu, one from Telangana, and one from Karnataka.
Previously, Akarshana met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who personally gifted her 2,000 books. Her journey began in 2021 when she was moved by the requests of young cancer patients to color and read books during a visit to MNJ Cancer Children’s Hospital. Inspired by this experience, she initiated a book collection drive, amassing over 10,000 books.
Since then, Akarshana has established 15 libraries, including:
1. MNJ Cancer Children Hospital – 1,036 books
2. Sanath Nagar Police Station – 825 books
3. Juvenile & Observation Home for Girls, Hyderabad – 625 books
4. Gayathri Nagar Association, Borabanda – 250 books
5. Coimbatore City Police Street Libraries – 200 books
6. Chennai Boys Club, Nolambur Police Station – 1,200 books
7. Govt High School, Old Sanath Nagar Area, Hyderabad – 610 books
8. Bharosa Support Centre for Women and Children, Siddipet – 752 books
9. Public Library, Kulithurai, Kanyakumari – 1,000 books
10. Govt Orphanage Girls Service Home, Madhura Nagar – 510 books
11. RSS Bhagyanagar, Secunderabad – 525 books
12. AGAPE – Caring for Aids Orphans, Malakajigiri Dist – 400 books
13. Sri Adharsha Foundation Orphanage Home for Children, Borabanda – 400 books
14. Auxillium Navajeevana Orphanage for Girls, Bhoiguda – 400 books
15. Kalady Sri Adi Shankara Madom, Bolaram – 500 books
Akarshana shared her plans to establish an additional 10 libraries by December 2024, aiming to reach a total of 25 libraries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recognised Akarshana’s efforts, praising her impact in his Mann Ki Baat address in September 2023. Modi has encouraged her to continue her work and has expressed his intention to visit her 25th library once it is set up.
