Raju Lingala
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All Levels Reading Habits of Prominent Telugu-Speaking Personalities more
This presentation explores the reading habits of around 12 prominent Telugu-speaking personalities from the Telangana , Andrapradesh states in India and abroad. With over 96 million (according to 2022 statistics) Telugu speakers worldwide, the study highlights how reading in Telugu (L1), English (L2), and other languages shapes leaders across professions. Through interviews and questionnaires, the study captures how bilingual or multilingual reading nurtures creativity, leadership, and public engagement. Participants include politicians, professionals, writers, and artists who credit reading—especially in their mother tongue—as foundational to their growth. In a digital age, these stories aim to inspire a stronger reading culture, especially among Telugu youth. Emphasizing the role of mother tongue literacy, the presentation shows how reading in Telugu builds identity and deepens learning alongside global languages.
All Levels Building a Reading Community: Narayanapur Village Reading Program more
This presentation highlights the Village Reading Program in Narayanapur, Telangana, designed to foster a reading culture within the community. The initiative trained 100 students to mentor 100 struggling readers, who together visited 797 homes, distributing free books to encourage home libraries and shared reading. To overcome obstacles such as limited engagement with the village library and initial hesitation from families, I planned in advance, selected most of the mentors from my own school for easier coordination, and actively involved the community for support and trust-building. This grassroots effort helped students reach grade-level proficiency and strengthened community bonds. Based on our experience, suggested steps to replicate this program in areas like Indonesia include: selecting student mentors through schools, involving local volunteers, distributing free starter books, conducting home visits, and creating small community reading groups. This program shows that with simple tools and strong local support, a culture of reading can flourish anywhere.