Food4Thought Foundation Gains Recognition on PM Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat'
Hyderabad-based Food4Thought Foundation has been lauded for its efforts to promote reading among children and communities. During the 116th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s radio programme, Mann Ki Baat, on Sunday, the foundation’s motto, “Ghar Ghar Pustakalaya” (Library in Every Home), and its mission to connect idle books with eager minds were highlighted. The foundation has set up around 620 libraries across India, including 124 in Telangana.
Libraries Across India Receive Praise
Prime Minister Modi also mentioned other notable libraries during his address, including the Prakrith Arivagam Library in Chennai and the Prayog Library in Bihar’s Golapganj. The Hyderabad-based Food4Thought Foundation stood out for its impactful work in creating spaces where children can access authentic and valuable information.
A Mission to Spark a Reading Revolution
The Food4Thought Foundation, a non-profit organization, was founded in 2015 with the goal of igniting a reading culture in India. Over the years, it has established libraries in diverse locations such as schools, jails, and community spaces, including ITI Guwahati and Central Jail, Sikkim. These libraries are spread across 92 cities and 21 states, making books accessible to underserved populations.
Gratitude from the Foundation
Madhavi Sharma, co-founder and foundation director, expressed her gratitude for the recognition from the Prime Minister. Speaking to Hans India, she said, “We are extremely thankful to Prime Minister Modi for acknowledging our work and sharing it with citizens across the country through Mann Ki Baat. Our philosophy is that a nation should be known not just by its GDP but also by its ‘GGP’—‘Ghar Ghar Pustakalaya’. We began this journey by setting up libraries in a few government schools, and today, we’ve reached over one lakh children.”
Turning Idle Books Into Community Resources
The foundation emphasizes bridging the gap between unused books and children in need. Madhavi shared, “Many children lack access to books, while countless books remain idle. To address this, the foundation was established in 2015 to promote reading habits by setting up libraries across the country. People often approach us to donate their books, which we then categorize into genres like fiction, non-fiction, and informational. Based on the collection, we partner with suitable schools or libraries to house the books.”
Collaborating to Expand Reading Access
In cases where donated books are more suited for adults, the foundation works with other libraries to find the right homes for them. They also collaborate with individuals who wish to establish small community libraries, providing books and support for their initiatives.
Making Libraries Engaging for Children
Beyond establishing libraries, the Food4Thought Foundation works to keep them engaging and appealing for young readers. One of its unique efforts includes recording indigenous stories, folklore, and oral traditions as podcasts. In the first phase, 501 stories in eight languages were recorded, each lasting 2–3 minutes, and made available on the foundation’s official YouTube channel. By December, the foundation plans to record an additional 500 stories in 11 languages.
Through its tireless work, the Food4Thought Foundation continues to inspire a culture of reading and learning, bringing books to children and communities that need them most.
