Mann Ki Baat: 12-year-old Hyderabad student receives PM Modi's applause for setting up 7 libraries

HYDERABAD: Akarshana Sathish, 12, of Hyderabad Public School (HPS) Begumpet, won praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 105th edition of Mann Ki Baat on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Akarshana managing seven libraries at the age of 11 was really inspiring since she is helping to shape the future of children.

During his Mann Ki Baat Program on Sunday he said, "Friends, I have come to know a similar unique effort related to libraries in Hyderabad. Here, daughter Akarshana Satish studying in seventh class has done wonders. You may be surprised to know that at just 11 years of age, she is running not one or two, but seven libraries for children. Akarshana got her inspiration two years ago when she went to a cancer hospital with her parents. Her father had gone there to help the needy. The children there asked her for 'Colouring Books', and this very thing touched this lovely doll so much that she decided to collect different types of books.

"She started collecting books from her neighbourhood, relatives and friends and you will be happy to know that the first library was opened for children in the same cancer hospital. Around 6 thousand books are now available in the seven libraries that this daughter has opened so far at different places for needy children. The way little Akarshana is doing a great job in shaping the future of children, is inspiring everyone. Friends, it is true that today's era is of Digital Technology and E-Books, but still books always play the role of a good friend in our lives. Hence, we should motivate children to read books, " he added.

Her proud father, Sathish J Kumar, said that Akarshana was overjoyed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recognition in Mann Ki Baat. He further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would meet with Akarshana during his next visit to Hyderabad, scheduled for October 1, 2023.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to 'X' (formally Twitter) and tweeted, "11-year-old Akarshana from Hyderabad manages seven libraries for children. The way she is contributing towards shaping the future of children, is inspiring. -PM Narendra Modi #MannKiBaat."

Akarshana Sathish is a 12-year-old from Hyderabad studying in seventh grade at Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet established Seven libraries on her own.

She began gathering books from neighbours, classmates and members of her families. She was able to collect 5800 old books, which she used to establish for 7 libraries in Hyderabad, Telangana and Coimbatore, Tamilnadu.