“The Reading Corner has become my favorite place in school… Reading has become part of my daily routine — it keeps my mind active and helps me think better.”
— Momin Bashir, Student, Govt. Middle School, Palpora (Srinagar)
Gulzar Ahmad Wani
In today’s fast-paced world, helping primary children develop a love for reading is more important than ever. Reading corners serve as powerful tools in this effort—creating safe, engaging spaces where children can explore books that spark their curiosity and imagination. These corners do more than enhance literacy; they open up new worlds and ideas for young minds. Recognizing their value, CHINAR International is setting up reading corners in schools and Community Learning Centers (CLCs) across Kashmir, bringing the joy of reading closer to every child.
Reading at an early age helps build a strong foundation for future academic success, improves language skills, and fosters empathy by exposing children to diverse perspectives and cultures. “A reading corner is a wonderful idea. It gives children a quiet and happy space to read. It makes reading easy and enjoyable. I’ve seen how it helps them improve their language, think better, and develop a deeper love for books,” says Fancy, CLC Facilitator Wassymarg , Pulwama District (working with 35 children)
To enhance the quality and vibrancy of these reading spaces, CHINAR International has partnered with the Wipro Foundation. Through mentorship support from Bookworm, a library-based learning organization, CHINAR has curated a diverse collection of 300 storybooks and picture books from top children’s publishers such as Katha, Pratham, Tulika, and Eklavya. These books have been carefully selected to match the developmental needs and interests of primary-grade children.
Each space is designed to be interactive, inclusive, and child-friendly activity zones that make reading an engaging experience. “The Reading Corner has become my favorite place in school. Earlier, I would get bored during free time, but now I spend it with books that feel like friends. Reading has become part of my daily routine — it keeps my mind active and helps me think better,” says Momin Bashir, Student Govt. Middle School, Palpora (Srinagar). Facilitators and teachers are trained to conduct read-aloud sessions, story circles, book talks, and comprehension-based activities that deepen the children’s connection with the text. Through these activities, books are used not only for reading but also to build vocabulary, encourage critical thinking, and develop communication skills.
Currently, 42 reading corners have been set up across government schools and CLCs in Kashmir. These corners serve as safe, vibrant, and welcoming spaces that draw children in and foster a love for learning. CHINAR also works closely with facilitators to ensure the reading material is used effectively—whether it’s through guided reading time, peer reading sessions, role plays, or thematic storytelling that links to real-life experiences.
In parallel, organizations like Katha have provided capacity-building support for CHINAR’s facilitators and fellows, helping them adopt storytelling as a pedagogical tool and make literature come alive for young readers.
“CHINAR’s commitment to educational transformation is clear in its holistic approach—addressing learning gaps, developing 21st-century skills, and nurturing a reading culture.”
CHINAR International’s commitment to educational transformation is clear in its holistic approach—addressing learning gaps, developing 21st-century skills, and nurturing a reading culture in underserved communities. Beyond setting up reading corners, CHINAR runs a range of programs to improve the quality of education and ensure every child has access to meaningful learning opportunities.
In regions like Kashmir, where socio-economic challenges often hinder educational progress, reading corners have become symbols of hope and empowerment. By focusing on the overall development of children through engaging literacy initiatives, CHINAR is nurturing a generation of curious, empathetic, and lifelong learners.
This article has been compiled by Gulzar Ahmed Wani, who leads the Quality Education Program at CHINAR International—a social impact organization working in Kashmir since 2011.
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