HT launches 'You Read, They Learn' initiative in Mumbai

The initiative was first launched in the Delhi NCR in April 2012 that has till now helped put more than 14000 children in schools in this region

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Mumbai | September 3, 2013

Hindustan Times, one of India's leading English dailies, has launched 'You Read, They Learn' or YRTL in Mumbai, a year-round program to help educate underprivileged children.

As a part of this initiative, Hindustan Times Mumbai will put aside a part of the subscription price paid by the readers for the newspaper towards creating a corpus which will fund the education of underprivileged children over the year. So every time you pick up a copy of Hindustan Times, a child goes to school. Besides this contribution, HT will raise the issue of children's education rights and focus on the problems that need immediate attention and will strive to find solutions.

'You Read They Learn' was first launched in the Delhi NCR region in April 2012. It is an ongoing project that has till now helped put more than 14000 children in schools in this region.

The initiative in Mumbai was launched with a unique innovation. An Early Learning Textbook was printed in the Hindustan Times Mumbai edition on 27th August 2013 which the readers could cut out and share with a deserving child in their vicinity.

A large scale engagement drive saw over 8100 textbooks being donated by school students from 25 top schools in Mumbai to underprivileged kids on the launch day.  More than 3000 textbooks were distributed at NGOs – Pratham Balwadis, Swagat Ashram, Aarambh and Navodaya Movement. Over 11000 books were  donated in a unique online drive through Facebook and Twitter pages where one could take a pledge and donate a book to an underprivileged child.  In addition, the campaign reached out to both the readers and the non-readers through a mix of Digital endeavors, Radio and Outdoors.

Commenting on the occasion, Rajiv Verma, CEO of HT Media Limited, said, “We at Hindustan Times strongly believe that a newspaper has the ability to drive positive change in society. As a newspaper, we are intrinsically linked to the cause of education. With the overwhelming response received for our 'You Read They Learn' initiative in Delhi-NCR, we are now launching this initiative in Mumbai and we wish to continue contributing strongly in the space of pre-primary and primary education as we believe that education is every child's right.”

“The success of this initiative over the past year has validated the fact that it is possible to do well while doing good”, he added.

Sanjoy Narayan, Editor-in-Chief, Hindustan Times said, “We are very proud of the success of the 'You Read, They learn' initiative through the active participation of our readers. Over the past year our reporters and writers have dug out stories of change, of people making a difference and of readers' contribution to the lives of children whom nobody has time for. We strongly believe that reading and learning must be every child's right and as part of our continued efforts in this direction we are excited about launching the 'You Read They Learn' initiative in Mumbai, as well.”

Commenting on the partnership, Farida Lambay, Founder Director of Pratham said, “We at Pratham have been associated with HT in Delhi and Mumbai. We have known the Hindustan Times team as sensitive and committed to the cause of the unreached. So it's a matter of great joy that you have chosen Pratham to be the vehicle of this movement 'You Read, They learn' in Mumbai. In today's context where there is despair, violence and insecurity, I feel Education and especially the learning centers for young children (Balwadis ) in the slum communities  will act as centers of  sanity and hope. The Mumbaites have always supported   good causes and I am sure they will support your efforts in reaching the unreached through education.  As it is said that the destiny of the Nation is shaped in its classrooms and this is a step in that direction.”

The team at Hindustan Times strongly believes that a small start has been made successfully towards the dream of sending every child to school. In partnership with the people of Mumbai, this small change can reap big results and can improve the lives of millions of children.

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