Pune Book Festival Sets World Record for Parental Reading

Sadashiv Peth, 14th December 2023: In a triumphant prelude to the upcoming Pune Book Festival, organized by the National Book Trust, over three thousand parents convened on the S P College grounds for the ‘Parents Reading out Stories To Their Children’ activity on Thursday morning (December 14). This heartwarming event saw parents read stories to their children for four uninterrupted minutes.

Remarkably, the participating parents not only fostered a love for literature but also shattered the previous Chinese record for the same activity. As of December 14, 11:25 am, they officially set a new world record, sparking elation marked by rhythmic drumming and patriotic melodies.

Distinguished personalities including Vikram Kumar (PMC Commissioner), Vikas Dhakane (PMC Additional Commissioner), Dr. Suresh Gosavi (Vice Chancellor, Savitribai Phule Pune University), entrepreneur Jay Kakade, Adv SK Jain, Krishnakumar Goyal (Chairman of Khadki Education Institute), Yuvraj Malik (Trust Director), actress Prajakta Mali, organizer Rajesh Pandey, Muralidhar Mohol (Former Mayor), Prasenjit Fadnavis, Rahul Pakhere, and Bhagyashree Manthalkar graced the event with their presence.

The participating parents chose ‘Nisargacha Nash Karu Naka,’ a lesson from the book penned by Kshipra Shahane, for their four-minute reading session with their children.

In a momentous announcement, officials from the Guinness Book of Records declared India’s triumph in establishing a new world record for ‘Parents telling their children.’ The ecstatic celebration resonated with patriotic slogans such as Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata Ki Jai. The Pune Municipal Corporation’s officers and employees orchestrated the entire program, with entrepreneurial support from Suryakant Kakade.

Actress Prajakta Mali, adding a touch of inspiration, guided the children present and encouraged them to embrace the joy of reading. Chaitanya Kulkarni curated a captivating musical program featuring Marathi songs, and the seamless coordination was overseen by Dr. Sanjay Chakane and Milind Kulkarni.

This historic achievement in parental storytelling surpassed the previous record held by China, where 2,479 parents shared stories with their children simultaneously. In contrast, the Pune Book Festival on Thursday witnessed an impressive gathering of 3,066 parents, solidifying India’s newfound recognition on the global stage.