HYDERABAD: In classrooms across India, where academic marks often dominate discussions, a different movement is quietly gathering pace.
Former Ranji cricketer from Hyderabad, Raghuram Ananthoj, is leading an initiative that is shifting focus from exam scores to the power of reading for pleasure. Through his brainchild, the Read India Celebration (RIC), and a series of leadership workshops, Raghuram encourages students to go beyond textbooks, helping them develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities along the way.
Launched in 2015 after being conceived a year earlier, RIC started its journey in Telugu-speaking states, where it has drawn thousands of students to explore non-academic books. What began as a regional programme has now spread across the country. It’s now in its tenth year and has witnessed participation from all Indian states, reaching students as far as the USA, Canada, and West Asia. The message is simple: reading beyond textbooks is changing lives.
Raghuram explains how RIC works. “At the heart of it is a simple exercise. Students read a non-academic book or story and submit a summary of what they learn, along with a creative solution to a real-world problem. This builds critical thinking and innovation. I started with leadership sessions and realised many people don’t know their strengths. That’s when I began experimenting with reading as a tool for personal growth. Reading is closely linked to creativity and problem-solving.”
The initiative particularly gained momentum after a CBSE circular in 2021 triggered over 30,000 student registrations. States started adopting the movement in their own way. Goa turned it into a state festival, while Maharashtra, under the ‘Maha Vachan Utsav’ banner, involved its entire education machinery. Nearly 95 lakh students have participated in it so far.
Amitabh Bachchan stepped in as brand ambassador for the 2024 festival.
Raghuram reflects on his unconventional journey: “I was a professional cricketer with Hyderabad’s Ranji team. When I didn’t get opportunities and there was no IPL, I left. But the lessons from sport shaped my corporate career. Today, I ask my children to prioritise reading and yoga over academic pressure.”
For him, reading remains a constant. He maintains his daily 10-minute reading routine for over two decades and aims to take RIC to 10 crore people by 2030.
State officials and educators share how students are responding: “We’re seeing remarkable participation. Book stalls let children choose freely, which excites them,” says a Maharashtra education official.
Meanwhile, former participants like Rohan from Warangal continue to meet friends online to share their reading journeys, keeping the spirit of RIC alive.