Beyond the Bookshelf: New Award Honours India's Unsung Library Heroes

MUMBAI, India – March 03, 2026 – In a nation striving to bolster foundational literacy, a new initiative has turned the spotlight on the often-unseen architects of childhood reading: the librarians. The H T Parekh Foundation (HTPF), a Mumbai-based philanthropy, hosted the inaugural Harsha Parekh Librarian Awards (HPLA) at the Nehru Centre, celebrating the individuals and organisations working tirelessly to nurture curiosity and a lifelong love for books among children across India.

Named in honour of the late Professor Harsha S. Parekh, a luminary in library sciences, the awards aim to elevate the status of librarians from mere custodians of books to what the foundation calls “quiet changemakers.” The event drew a distinguished audience, including H T Parekh Foundation Chairman Deepak S. Parekh, and featured a vibrant discussion on the future of reading with author Ashwin Sanghi, actor-producer Tara Sharma Saluja, and The Indian Express Group’s Executive Director, Anant Goenka.

Spotlighting the 'Quiet Changemakers'

From a competitive pool of 275 nominations spanning 16 states, the awards jury selected winners whose work exemplifies innovation and dedication in often challenging circumstances. The recipients represent the diverse landscape of library work in India, from government schools to community-led initiatives.

Jai Shekhar, a teacher-cum-librarian at the Government Primary School Dharampur in Uttar Pradesh, was honoured as the School Librarian of the Year. The award for Community Librarian was presented to Saba Khan, founder of the Savitribai Phule Fatima Sheikh Library in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Khan’s work is particularly notable for its focus on empowering marginalized Pasmanda and Valmiki communities, using storytelling and folk songs to make the library a vibrant hub of social change and activism.

Recognising collective effort, the Organisation for Early Literacy Promotion (OELP) was named Organisation Championing Library Work for its two decades of dedication to building school and community libraries in rural India. A Special Mention was also awarded to Vidya Devi, a full-time librarian at Kamala Nimbkar Balbhavan in Phaltan, Maharashtra, for her contributions.

“Over the past four years, our work... has reinforced our understanding of how essential librarians are in nurturing young readers,” said Ziaa Lalkaka, Executive Director and CEO of H T Parekh Foundation. “The inaugural edition of the Harsha Parekh Librarian Awards takes our commitment a step further, by formally honouring and celebrating librarians for the quiet changemakers they are.”

A National Mission in a Resource-Strapped Landscape

The timing of the HPLA is critical. While India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has declared universal foundational literacy an “urgent and necessary prerequisite to learning,” the reality on the ground remains challenging. According to the World Bank, 56% of Indian children suffer from “learning poverty,” meaning they cannot read and understand a simple text by age 10. Reports like the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) have consistently highlighted these learning gaps, particularly in rural areas.

Librarians are on the front lines of this battle, yet they frequently operate in resource-constrained settings with limited recognition. Public libraries across the country often face inadequate funding, infrastructure gaps, and a shortage of skilled professionals. The H T Parekh Foundation’s special initiative, ‘Doorbeen,’ was created to address this ecosystem failure by strengthening children’s libraries, promoting regional-language literature, and supporting the professional development of practitioners. The awards are a cornerstone of this strategy, designed not only to celebrate but also to empower winners with resources for continued learning and skill-building.

Page vs. Pixel: Debating the Future of Reading

A highlight of the evening was a spirited fireside chat that grappled with the central question of how to foster a reading culture in an increasingly digital world. The conversation, moderated by Anant Goenka, explored the evolving relationship between children, books, and screens.

Goenka framed the challenge starkly, stating, “What we are celebrating today is humanity's fight with the algorithm.” He pointed to a counter-trend, noting that “the sale of books in Nordic countries is actually going up, indicating a huge counterculture trend,” suggesting a renewed appetite for deep reading.

Actor Tara Sharma Saluja spoke to the tactile and emotional connection to physical books. “I personally love the touch and feel of a physical book,” she said. However, she emphasized the award’s social significance, adding, “What really moved me about today’s event is how it celebrates the unknown faces of many librarians across India who are bringing their love for books to children who may not have easy access. And that, I think, is just incredible.”

Best-selling author Ashwin Sanghi shared a personal story that underscored the profound influence of a reading mentor. “It was my ‘nana’ who was the first librarian in my life,” he recalled. “He would send me a book every week, and I would read it and write him a letter explaining why I liked or disliked it.” Looking forward, Sanghi advocated for a flexible approach. “I think we must ensure that the next generation builds on this culture of reading, whilst also accepting that it could be in a very different medium or format.”

Building a System of Support

The Harsha Parekh Librarian Awards represent more than a single night of recognition; they signify a strategic investment in the human infrastructure of literacy. By celebrating these champions, the H T Parekh Foundation is not only providing individual accolades but also creating visible role models for a profession that is crucial to achieving India’s educational goals.

This philanthropic effort aligns with a broader national movement. The government’s NIPUN Bharat Mission and the Samagra Shiksha scheme aim to provide the policy framework and funding to improve foundational learning outcomes. Simultaneously, non-profits like Pratham and Room to Read have been working for years to establish libraries and publish accessible children’s literature. The HPLA complements these efforts by focusing on the professional empowerment and recognition of the librarians themselves.

By rewarding innovation and resilience, the foundation hopes to inspire a new generation of educators to see the library not as a silent repository of books, but as a dynamic, creative space where India’s future readers are born. This first ceremony is envisioned as an annual event, promising a sustained commitment to ensuring the nation’s quietest changemakers finally have their voices heard.