By Archana Rao for BIS Mumbai

Don Bosco Senior Secondary School, Nerul fostered the intellectual curiosity of its students by celebrating an invigorating Interactive Learning Day – Reading Yatra on Friday, July 31, 2026. Guided by the maxim, "Great Readers Today, Great Thinkers Tomorrow," the initiative aimed to nurture a lifelong love for reading, analytical thinking, and creative expression among students from Grades I to IX.

Cultivating a Collaborative Literary Culture

The morning commenced with an innovative "Reading Buddies" initiative designed to bridge generational gaps and cultivate peer-to-peer mentorship. The school’s spacious layouts, ranging from the Ground Floor Assembly Hall to the Library, Food court, and specialized AV labs, were systematically transformed into dynamic reading sanctuaries. Senior students from Grades VII, VIII, and IX seamlessly stepped into leadership roles as mentors. In structured pairings, such as a single Grade VII/VIII student guiding two primary juniors and older Grade IX buddies supporting Grade VI readers, the seniors actively assisted with pronunciation, deciphered complex vocabulary, and offered motivating encouragement. The atmosphere of focused reading beautifully captured the spirit of collective literary exploration.

Translating Text into Art: Creative Post-Reading Activities

During the 4th and 5th periods, students returned to their classrooms to transform literary insights into creative projects. Grades I to III designed vibrant bookmarks. Grades IV to VI created Reading Yatra Badges using chart paper and colour pencils. Grades VII to IX showcased their interpretive skills by designing original and compelling book covers.

A Synergy of Practical Literacy: Authentic Label Reading

In alignment with the Maharashtra Government’s Safe Food Drive Initiative, students from Grades I to VIII participated in authentic label-reading activities using clean, empty food and household packages brought from home. Guided by teachers, students examined product names, ingredients, safety instructions, nutritional information, and expiry dates. This practical exercise helped develop critical life skills and encouraged informed consumer awareness.

The Reading Yatra 2026 concluded as a resounding success in holistic learning. Through meticulous planning by the faculty and enthusiastic student participation, Don Bosco Senior Secondary School demonstrated that reading is not merely an academic activity but a gateway to imagination, critical thinking, and real-world wisdom.