Mumbai : In a heartening reaffirmation of the enduring appeal of books, over 100 children gathered for the ‘READ with neOwn’ initiative at Kidz World Expo, World Trade Center Mumbai, marking World Book Day with a collective silent reading experience.
Organised by neOwn, India’s first app-based book rental platform for children, the event brought together young readers aged 5 to 14 along with their parents. The initiative was designed to foster focus, imagination, and deeper engagement with books at a time when digital distractions increasingly compete for children’s attention.
The venue was transformed into a serene reading zone, where children immersed themselves in books they had brought along—demonstrating how the right environment can naturally nurture a love for reading.
Speaking about the initiative, Kranti Gada, Founder of neOwn, said, “There is often a perception that children today are drifting away from books. What we witnessed at READ with neOwn was a powerful reminder that when given the right space and community, children embrace reading with enthusiasm and focus. This initiative celebrated the spark that books can ignite in young minds.”
She further added, “Parents today are actively seeking meaningful alternatives that help children slow down, focus, and engage more deeply. Reading offers that opportunity, and through initiatives like this, we aim to make it both accessible and aspirational.”
Adding an inspiring dimension to the event, young published authors from BriBooks interacted with participants, sharing their writing journeys and showcasing their work. The interaction offered children a relatable introduction to authorship, reinforcing the idea that storytelling can begin at an early age.
As part of the initiative, all participating children also took the Million Readers Movement pledge—a social campaign led by neOwn aimed at inspiring one million people to adopt reading as a regular habit and encourage others to do the same. The pledge underscores neOwn’s broader mission of making reading a visible and shared cultural practice.
The initiative comes at a time when concerns around children’s screen habits are intensifying. Against this backdrop, READ with neOwn presented a compelling alternative rooted in calm, concentration, and community engagement. Through curated book subscriptions, reading challenges, developmental workshops, and a growing parent network, neOwn currently engages over 10,000 families across 340+ cities—working to build sustained reading habits among children through a holistic ecosystem approach.
With this initiative, neOwn brought its mission into a public setting, turning World Book Day into a collective reminder that reading continues to resonate deeply with young audiences when nurtured with intent.