Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral
The Girls Islamic Organisation (GIO), a socio-educational organisation of young women committed to the moral and intellectual reconstruction of society, successfully concluded its statewide reading and literacy campaign ‘Phirse Kitaab’ with a vibrant Literature Festival in Goa. Rooted in GIO’s vision of nurturing informed, thoughtful and socially responsible individuals, the initiative reaffirmed the enduring relevance of books in an increasingly digital world.
Conducted from 7th to 27th December 2025, Phirse Kitaab unfolded as a twenty-day reading movement that reached children, youth, parents and educators across the state. Through school sessions, parenting interactions and educator dialogues, the campaign encouraged reading beyond academic requirements and highlighted its role as a lifelong habit essential for intellectual growth and social awareness. Read-aloud sessions, reading retreats, meet-the-author interactions, library visits and informal corner meets allowed participants to engage with books in reflective and community-driven spaces, reinforcing the idea that reading flourishes when it becomes part of everyday life.
The culmination of the campaign was marked by the Phirse Kitaab Literature Festival held on 27th December 2025, which brought together readers, writers, educators and families in a shared celebration of literature and dialogue. The festival featured discussions on creating student-centric libraries, with insights shared by Elijah D’Souza of Booktique Goa, and a thought-provoking panel on literature as a tool for social change. Moderated by Shoib Shaikh, the panel explored how literature shapes social consciousness, preserves collective memory and encourages critical engagement, with active participation from the audience.
Storytelling and creative sessions highlighted the emotional and imaginative power of stories across age groups, while art-based literacy activities enabled participants to express ideas through collaborative drawing and book design. Children, students and families engaged in interactive sessions that demonstrated the cognitive, emotional and developmental benefits of reading, while parents and educators explored research-backed strategies to build strong reading habits at home.
The festival also celebrated linguistic and literary diversity through an open poetry recital featuring works in English, Hindi, Marathi and Konkani, bringing together emerging voices and established poets. A lively literacy activity corner featuring poetry boards, blackout poetry, silent reading zones and thematic displays tracing the origins of books across cultures drew significant interest and participation.
The concluding programme marked a significant milestone with the launch of books by six emerging Goan authors, who shared reflections on their creative journeys and read excerpts from their works. Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Shri Damodar Mauzo urged writers to write with sincerity, promote local languages and practice discernment in reading, while GIO Goa’s leadership reiterated that Phirse Kitaab is not a one-time event but the beginning of a sustained reading movement across the state.
Through Phirse Kitaab, GIO Goa reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening a culture of reading, reflection and dialogue. By engaging communities across generations, the campaign demonstrated that books remain powerful tools for personal growth, social awareness and meaningful change, laying the foundation for a more thoughtful and literate society.
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