When P N Panicker initiated the Library and Literacy Movement in Kerala in the 1970s, he envisaged the nurturing of a love for the written word. The slogan of the movement - ‘Vayichu Valaruka’ - embodies his philosophy. The visionary and teacher would have rejoiced at the new start made at Sri Saradadevi Sishu Vihar School, Vazhuthacaud on Reading Day. The students of the school came up with the first edition of a print magazine, Changathi, to be published every month to mark the the Day which was observed in the state on June 19.
The Reading Day came to be observed at the behest of P N Panicker and his library movement that had a sweeping effect on the literacy levels of Kerala. In fact, the movement reaped a rich harvest when Kerala achieved total literacy in the 1990s. The magazine, compiled and edited by a student editorial team, comprises the writings of the children in the school. The impressive first edition has 12 pages of stories, reviews of literary works, poems and a quiz column. Proofing and editing have been done to perfection and the illustrations are beautifully done.
“The magazine is part of the school’s efforts to give emphasis to the learning and creative use of Malayalam language,” says Brahmanayakam Mahadevan, PTA President. “Sishu Vihar school has always been a champion of the cause of Malayalam, which is increasingly becoming alien to the new generation. We have a host of programmes designed to nurture in the kids a love for their mother tongue,” he says. “It is also one of our flagship projects as part of celebrating the 60th anniversary of the school. Various academic and non-academic activities are being organised for the past one year and a formal anniversary celebration will be held in August this year,” he added.
The school has already been in the news for a fully functional student radio that broadcasts news and other programmes every Friday. “The radio station functions out of the school premise and is almost entirely managed by the students. They co-ordinate and compile the programmes and present them on the radio. The PTA and the faculty only play a very minor supervisory role,” says a proud Brahmanayakam.
The idea of the print magazine came as an off shoot of the student radio project. The students were writing out a large number of creative and informative pieces to be relayed on the radio. The PTA and the teachers put their brains together to think of way to better the utilisation of the work being done. The idea of a print magazine was unanimously agreed to.
“We printed 250 copies of the first edition. The PTA paid the printing cost for a start. But we have brainstormed with the kids and have come up with an exciting idea. From the next month onwards, the students are going to sell it to their friend and families for Rs 10 per copy. That will fetch them enough money to cover the printing cost.”
The enterprising team has an ambitious plan in the pipeline - to get the student team to become a self-reliant publishing house by the time the 10th edition is out. “And that will be brought out as a special issue,” says Brahmanayakam confidently.