With the ground-breaking “Mission 100 Libraries” initiative, SAI International School is once again fulfilling the vision of its founder, the late Dr. Bijaya Kumar Sahoo, who was committed to closing the gap in access to high-quality educational resources for students from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. Dr. Bijaya Kumar Sahoo’s 100 Libraries Project was started in December 2015 with the goal of establishing 100 small, fully functional libraries in public and private schools in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, and the surrounding areas. What began as a small government school’s conversion of a storeroom into a vibrant library has grown into a force and movement that is inclusive.

Research shows that the majority of Odisha‘s underfunded schools lack even a basic library. This is equivalent to depriving thousands of young people of their creativity, their ability to explore, and the foundation of lifelong learning. “A vibrant library is not a luxury; it is the heartbeat of learning, a gateway to dreams, and an essential stepping stone in shaping every child’s journey towards knowledge and a brighter future,” the campaign states.

An almirah, 500 books (Odia, English, and Hindi), and the required furniture are given to each school that is identified as part of the project. Basic training is provided to teachers so they can manage the libraries and maximize their use. Libraries are periodically restocked with literature chosen by the educational institutions. Intending to add four new libraries annually and reach 2,000 more children annually, Mission 100 Libraries has now impacted over 15,000 children in Odisha.

Funds from SAI International’s signature events, SAITED (a STEM Fest featuring TED Talks-style speakers from ISRO and NASA) and UNWIND (an all-school festival that attracts over 30,000 visitors annually), are used to promote the cause. The excess from these gatherings is put straight into the Mission 100 Libraries initiative.

In addition to creating libraries, SAI International students engage with their peers in these schools through participatory workshops on topics such as career orientation, online safety, food security, and reading. In addition to creating safe and accepting conditions for emotional well-being, programs like “Healthy Minds, Happy Hearts” foster kindness, empathy, self-worth, and peer support.

With unrelenting work, the project is slowly but surely reaching its goal of constructing libraries as well as beacons of empowerment and hope across Odisha.

Priyanka Dutta