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In line with UAE's strategy of emphasizing the culture of reading and in order to protect the environment by not tossing old books into the landfill, UAE's popular youth community group” Students for the Earth Group “ initiated “Pick N Drop-Text Book Recycling” drive in April 2016.
“The idea was given to me by my senior Arushi Madan, an eco-conscious girl and President of our group ‘Students for the Earth', says Venkatesan Sundar (Grade 7 student of Delhi Private School-Sharjah) who has been collecting the old /used books from all across the UAE and keeping them sorted in his home –to be picked by whoever needs them for free.
Venkatesan further explained “We put up a poster mentioning the details in the Facebook page of SFE. Since then I have been getting calls from all across the UAE-Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Karama, Ajman, Sharjah asking whether I have XYZ book. People from all corners of UAE have so many useless books with them which they don't know what to do with. I have been going to all such people and collecting their used books to be given away to those in need. People who are getting their needed books free are very happy and thankful. Infact, the students from grade 9 to grade 12 are the most benefitted as many of the guides and reference books are not readily available even in the book shops. The event was launched initially for text books or reference books or preparatory books for entrance tests etc. but as we started getting story books, encyclopedias as well so we extended this drive to include all sorts of books.”
Ever since they launched this campaign, they have got overwhelming response and Venkatesan's house is full of the books he has collected in the past few weeks. He has collected more than 1000 books of grades 1-12 CBSE, ICSE, GCSE curriculums and general story books, encyclopedia etc. He spent about 4 -5 days to sort & segregate the books grade wise. The pictures of the books he collected were posted on the group FB page after which students and parents started contacting him asking for various books.
Reference books of senior classes are usually very expensive so it's a good idea to reuse someone's books rather than spending so much on new ones. This campaign has been able to help so many students by giving them the books they needed –free of cost. Group , through this drive, is providing a platform for everyone to come and give the books they no longer need and take away the books they need.
Venkatesan is so overwhelmed with the success of this drive that he has decided to conduct this drive every year as it is a great way to help spread the joy of reading to many more people.
Our society is way too quick to throw stuff away. We have the most wasteful people on earth. That mindset needs to change. There is value in everything we have and make. Let's not waste it. Let's give new life to old books by passing them to those who need them. Books are adventure. They are the best companion. They love anyone who opens them. Books are a source of knowledge and are not a use-and-throw item. Books can continue to pass on valuable information to people, regardless of the number of times they have been read. Instead of throwing the old books, they should be re-used. This message is loud and clear through this drive”Pick N Drop-Text Book Recycling” by “Students for the Earth”.
Youth-led initiatives are capable of changing the society in meaningful ways. Campaigns like these are initiatives aimed at right direction to make a positive change.
Students for the Earth is a leading youth community group and is a member of Earth Charter International Youth Groups. The group has been very active for the past few years and has been conducting many social, humanitarian, charitable and mainly environmental activities thereby providing platform for youngsters to participate.
For joining Students for the Earth, pl email to studentsfortheearth@gmail.com and visit their FB page https://www.facebook.com/studentsfortheearth?ref=hl
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