Students of three city schools distributed books at two schools in different villages in Purba Medinipur district, about 120km from Kolkata.
The books helped build bridges between students from varied backgrounds and also encouraged the children to read more, said the head of the charitable trust that conducted the drive.
Students of Mahadevi Birla World Academy and Sushila Birla Girls’ School carried books for students of Thakurnagar Nanda Mahila Vidyapith.
Students of The BSS School carried books for girls at Chunkhabari Sridurga Balika Vidyamandir. Both schools are located around 35km from Contai in Purba Medinipur district.
A group of students from the three city schools travelled to rural Bengal on Saturday and spent the day interacting with their counterparts in the two rural schools, most of whom are not as privileged as them.
Many of the children and their families in the two Purba Medinipur schools struggle financially, but they are resilient in the face of odds.
“The communication between the two groups of students was essential because they get to know each other’s circumstances and how they grow up,” said Suchismita Das Chaudhuri, headmistress, Thakurnagar Nanda Mahila Vidyapith.
For students, books can tie them together, said Swati Gautam, founder of Pukaar, the charitable trust that works with women and children in rural Bengal.
“I told the students that even if they do not feel like reading school books, they should always read story books,” said Gautam.
For Class VIII student Ahana Kabiraj she was touched by the way she was welcomed by the rural students.
“They were waiting outside the gate for us and there was so much of warmth in them,” said the student of The BSS School.
“You need to give and take for a wholistic education,” said Sunita Sen, principal of The BSS School.
At Mahadevi Birla World Academy, the students bought the books themselves from what they had earned from a school project.
The girls across classes run the school canteen on select days and the money they earn is spent on social service, said principal Anjana Saha.
“We didn’t want our children to ask their parents (for money) and so they used the money they earned. The books were selected by them,” said Saha.