Quikr and Blogadda gave me this opportunity to help children dream by giving book sin their hands. Here is an account of the journey I undertook to make a seemingly impossible task possible and to spread smiles.
There is no substitute for books in the life of a child. —May Ellen Chase
Stereotype Mindset
When Quikr gave me this opportunity to buy something from their website I agreed to give it a try. Though, I am an online shopaholic but till now I had never brought a used commodity. Well, how could I? No longer am I a frugal teenager. I am now a proud member of the upper middle class society and buying second hand stuff is condescending. Who does that? Frankly, this is the mindset with which I started my Quikr journey.
After a few calls from Blogadda guys and some hard core convincing to look beyond, to think out of the box, I conceded.
Geographical Limitation
Another problem that I faced was geographical constraint. Yes, by now you know what I am talking about – this is how I do my part of serving the nation- by staying at remote places. Closest proper city to Uttarkashi is either Dehradun or Rishikesh.
What to Buy? A Big Decision
This was the most difficult task for Quikr spoils you for choices. One moment I was looking for infant toys and the other moment some rare collectibles. I searched for deals in Rishikesh. As, I am currently in my fitness freaky phase I checked the listing under health and fitness. Ya, it is a phase. It happens. I buy stuff, I use it for some time and then I lose interest, the phase ends and then a new phase begins. In past, I had guitar phase, golf phase, gadget phase…ah! Don’t even ask me how much money I have already wasted.
As a new treadmill is quite expensive and this fitness phase might end sooner than I think, buying it from Quikr was a practical decision. However, I couldn’t find a good deal or may be somehow I knew this was not what I really wanted. There had to be something else.
I thought of giving up the idea started to creep in when something interesting happened. Things changed and changed for good.
A Chance Meeting With Swamiji
I was on my evening walk when I met a Gyanendra Swamiji, a follower of Chinmaya Mission. After introductory conversation he invited me to his ashram. He told me that he runs an NGO for underprivileged children and his focus area is to facilitate education. The state of education in Uttarkashi is quite dismal. The biggest drawback in nUttarkashi is lack of good teachers and adequate funds. The situation worsened after the disaster caused by flash floods in 2013
Also, children hailing from poor socio-economic background face a major impediment in conversational English. There is nobody to teach or help them practice English. Needless to emphasize how important this language is, whether it is for jobs, higher education or personality development, knowledge of English language plays a crucial role.
Coincidentally, I have some experience in teaching English using creative mediums, helping children to overcome hesitation and encouraging them to communicate effectively. So, I offered to help children with English learning.
I soon realized that students are eager to learn, they are intelligent and creative and I thoroughly enjoyed connecting with them. I used book reading as a medium to improvise their vocabulary, imagination and confidence. I read stories to them and then encouraged them to read themselves. Reading opens unknown lands and ideas to them. Books let you travel the world without even moving an inch.
“There are many little ways to enlarge your world. Love of books is the best of all.” – Jacqueline Kennedy
However, the biggest challenge was procuring books and especially books that were suited to their age.
The Final Search
I was listlessly surfing my mobile, one day late at night, when I got a reminder mail from Blogadda asking me to submit my post soon. I thought of giving it one last try.
This time I searched for listings in Dehradun. I checked almost every section but nothing got my interest. I was about to switch off and go to sleep when this advertisement of set of 96 books in Rs 5000 caught my attention.
The collection of books exactly suited my requirement – Hardy boys, Nancy drew, Asterik – teenage fiction that my students could relate to. Yes, this is exactly what my students’ need. And, this was much better than the treadmill that I was planning to buy earlier. Healthy mind is more important, after all!
Connecting with the Seller
I called up the number flashing on the screen.
A guy picked up the phone and like an idiot, I asked him, “So, do you read book yourself or you are just some seller?” Blame it on my skepticism, first time on Quickr or passion for books.
He patiently replied, “Yes, I read books and all these books are my personal collection”.
Skepticism creeped in again, “Then why do you want to sell the books?”
I can never sell books, I am too possessive about them, I mumbled.
Well, Abhishek (the seller) had a perfectly logical answer, “Because I outgrew them. These are my teenage collection.”
Oops! Makes sense.
I told him about the NGO that I work with and the reason I want to buy his books. He was genuinely happy. To quote Abhishek, “I am pursuing M.B.A and I am selling this book set because I want to share my adventure of living an amazing life inside these books. These books took me to the journey which taught me the values of life. Every single book is special and written by extraordinary writers. I want to share my experience with the children and teenagers so that they can also have a great time with these books as I did, that’s why I put my advertisement to sell my book collection in Quikr. And as you would use these books to teach underprivileged children I am so happy for I wouldn’t have found any better reason to part with my collection.”
Both of us were emotionally overwhelmed. This is what happens when book lovers connect.
Negotiating the Deal
After discussing details on payment and pickup, I sheepishly requested him to rethink the price. He said he can’t reduce the price but he will add a few more book as a gesture to the good cause. So now I will be getting 110 books in Rs 5000. I was satisfied, more books = more happiness, for me.
Deal was closed.
Happy Students
When 3 huge cartons full of books arrived my students were curiously happy. This was a completely new experience for them. They never knew there could be something like leisure reading. They would listen to stories and read without fear of exams. All this was surely exciting for them.
Thank You Quikr and Blogadda
My students are now learning to dream. Quikr is truly the perfect matchmaker. Abhishek and I wouldn’t have found a perfect reason to buy and sell book. Those who love books will know how emotional one gets around books.
My students are saying a loud thank you to Quikr and Blogadda.
May the dreaming never stop.
This blog post for written for free Shopping Fiesta campaign of Quikr.com organized by Blogadda
5 comments
Kudos! I am so proud of you! You helped children see a different light through your gesture. Awesome Awesome Awesome!!
[…] Gitanjali Banerjee for her post Helping Children Dream by Giving Books in Their Hands […]
So wonderful, dear!
You spread happiness. The little ones have got so many worlds to discover thanks to the books. Books are great gifts 🙂
Cheers to you, Quikr & BlogAdda!
Thanks Parul, Anita and Anunoy for being my support group. Really appreciate and yayy I won, I won.
Wow… a nobel approach indeed… I’m sure your move made many kids happy and helped blogadda’s campaign 🙂