The first ReadaThon of Punjab was inaugurated on September 8th, 2022 by Sakshi Sahni, Deputy Commissioner, Patiala at Nava Nalanda Central Library (NNCL), Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (TIET), Patiala. She stressed upon that the readathon is a great idea but we should take it to a logical conclusion to bring the magic of being read to and reading to the children who are not so privileged.
Thapar Institute agreed to associate with district administration on the mera bachpan project.During the event, honourable Director Prof. Prakash Gopalan, Dr. Gurbinder Singh (Registrar), Deans and Heads of the Departments, Schools and students were present. Mrs. Sawhney appreciated and emphasized the importance of reading books for holistic development.
Dr. Seema Bawa, Prof. In-Charge, NNCL highlighted the event being organised on the occasion of International Literacy Day. Dr. Har Singh, Deputy Librarian and Mrs. Archana Nanda, Information Scientist, NNCL threw light on flow of 24 hours long event. It has been jointly organised by the students, for the students.
Student Societies including Rotaract, Pratiga, Fine Arts and Photography Society (FAPS), Literary Society (LitSoc), Music and Dramatic Society (MUDRA), ECHOS and NCC, etc., actively took part in organising the mega event. Mr. Sher Amir Dullat, Overall Student Coordinator ideated and conceptualised the ReadaThon. The 24-hour Readathon is expected to have more than thousand students participation.