Akarshana Sathish, an extraordinary 11-year-old seventh-grader at Hyderabad Public School, embarked on a remarkable journey to make a difference through books. It all began when she visited MNJ Cancer Children’s Hospital during the COVID-19 lockdown and witnessed children’s desire for coloring sheets and books. This experience ignited the spark for her project, “Empowering Minds Through Libraries.” Akarshana, who started her love for reading at the age of three, now boasts a personal library of over 1,000 books and has established six libraries in Hyderabad and Coimbatore. Her ambitious goal is to have ten libraries in operation by December 2023. With recognition from notable figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Akarshana’s dedication to literacy and giving back to society is an inspiring story of a young philanthropist.
The Libraries that Ignite Passion for Learning
Akarshana Sathish’s mission to empower minds through libraries has resulted in the establishment of seven libraries, each well-equipped with a diverse collection of books. These libraries are located at MNJ Cancer Children’s Hospital, Sanath Nagar Police Station, Kachiguda Juvenile Home for Girls, Gayatri Nagar Association, Borabanda, Coimbatore Street Library, and Nolambur Police Station. Akarshana’s commitment to literacy and her desire to spread the love for learning have earned her recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, and IT Minister KT Rama Rao. Her project not only provides access to books but also serves as a testament to the impact one young individual can make in their community.
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Beyond Books: The Inspiring Journey of Akarshana Sathish
Akarshana Sathish’s journey is not limited to libraries alone. Beyond her dedication to literacy, she nurtures various interests, including cycling, music, yoga, debating, and coding. Remarkably, she has completed 270 coding classes in various programming languages. Her father, J. Sathish Kumar, attributes her positive transformation and impressive knowledge to her voracious reading and her confidence as a speaker. Akarshana’s upcoming project involves opening a new library near the Tarnaka Metro station in August, with two more libraries planned for inauguration on Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s birth anniversary, October 15, 2023. Her story exemplifies the power of determination and the positive impact one young individual can have on society through their passions and dedication.
