Mangaluru: With the aim of cultivating the habit of reading among youth, the ICYM unit of St. Theresa Church, Paldane, Mangaluru, has organized a special program called the ‘Book Drive’. As part of this initiative, ICYM members collect various books from church members and distribute them free of cost to interested members who wish to read them.
The program was inaugurated by the parish priest, Rev. Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho. In his address, he stated that the ICYM organization is setting an example by conducting various community-oriented programs. He noted that in the current era dominated by mobile phones, reading habits have significantly declined. Therefore, ICYM’s initiative of launching a ‘Book Drive’ to revive the reading culture is truly commendable.
The event was attended by Church Pastoral Committee Vice President Elias Fernandes, Secretary Austin Monteiro, ICYM Animator Roshan Montiero, ICYM President Vileesha Braggs, and Secretary Aashel Lobo.
As part of the first phase of the Book Drive, around 800 books have been collected. These include storybooks, novels, books on marketing and digital topics, children’s charts, religious and health-related books, satirical writings, and more.