13-Year-Old Akarshana Sathish Opens 21st Library at Seva Bharathi Center for Women in Hyderabad
Hyderabad ( Telangana In a significant step to promote and empower women via education, 13-year-old philanthropist and change-maker Akarshana Sathish She has opened her 21st library at the Seva Bharathi Training Centre for Women, situated in Jawahar Nagar, Dammaiguda. Hyderabad .
Stocked primarily with 600 books featuring mostly Telugu-language motivational tales along with some general knowledge texts and a handful of titles in English, this library aims to motivate, educate, and strengthen the women attending the center.
The occasion saw attendance from Jennifer Larson U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad who acted as the Chief Guest.
Larson commented, "Akarshana's dedication is truly inspiring."
During her speech at the event, Jennifer stated, “I extend my congratulations to Akarshana on the grand opening of their 21st library. Your vision serves as an incredible source of motivation for everyone here. It’s truly commendable how you’ve taken the initiative to make books, joy, and educational resources available across various centers within the city and throughout Tamil Nadu. A library isn’t merely about having books—it embodies aspirations, knowledge, and inspiration. These spaces act not only as repositories but also as places where individuals can connect with new ideas through reading. Through literature, people gain insights into different worlds, develop understanding, and acquire valuable life skills. Thus, education stands as the most potent catalyst for transformation, and ensuring easy access to books plays a crucial role in achieving this.”
Sumalatha, the Vice President of Seva Bharathi, a non-governmental organization, spoke with ANI about the event taking place at the Skill Development Center. She mentioned that it is a fantastic occasion featuring young talents like Akarshana, who is both inspirational and motivational. Sumalatha also highlighted that establishing a library as part of this effort is a commendable initiative.
The most recent addition pushes Akarshana's The Open Libraries' total to 21 libraries, having received more than 14,600 book donations overall. Telangana These libraries have been meticulously established in government schools, government cancer hospitals, police stations, the Bharosa Centre in Siddipet, orphanages, juvenile homes, facilities for AIDS-affected children, and even street library setups, thereby extending their reach to some of the most marginalized groups within society.
Akarshana Sathish Is the creator of the Open Libraries Forum In 2021, when she was just 9 years old, she initiated this project. Over the last half-decade, her endeavor has evolved into a significant campaign promoting literacy and book accessibility, fueled solely by her ambition to transform reading into an enjoyable and therapeutic activity for everyone.
At the event, Akarshana stated, "This path began for me when I realized that books possess the ability to heal, motivate, and transform lives. The library stands as my contribution to these remarkable women, and I wish it provides them with the strength, self-assurance, and wisdom they truly merit."
Presently a ninth-grade student at The Hyderabad The Public School in Begumpet, recognized by national figures such as the President of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stands out. She plans to initiate her Metro Library Project before the end of this year, further extending her influence and commitment to literature and community service. (ANI)