At Tyros School, we believe that reading is more than a habit — it is a lifelong skill that opens the door to self-discovery, independent thinking, and a deeper understanding of the world. On June 19th, we proudly celebrated National Reading Day, which marks the birth anniversary of the late P.N. Panicker, the visionary who spearheaded the library movement in Kerala. Every year, this day serves as a gentle reminder of the values we hold dear: cultivating curiosity, fostering a love for books, and nurturing a thoughtful, informed generation.
In today’s fast-paced digital age, where social media often tempts us to adopt opinions without reflection, we at Tyros want our students to think for themselves. We want them to develop not just the ability to read, but also the courage to question, reflect, and grow. That is the spirit with which we approached this year’s Reading Day — with intention and joy.
The primary block students were especially enthusiastic. This year, we introduced them to a heartwarming and powerful book: Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi. The children were paired up in twos for our weekly storytime reading sessions, and each pair received a copy of the book. As the rain tapped softly on the windows, they dove into Totto-Chan’s world — one of wonder, freedom, and learning beyond the conventional. The book sparked laughter, conversation, and even a few thoughtful silences — signs that the story was making its way into their hearts.
While the older students explored Totto-Chan, our younger learners and their teachers celebrated our mother tongue — Malayalam — through lively vocabulary games. It was delightful to see children playing, guessing, and confidently using new words in Malayalam. These interactive sessions weren’t just about language skills; they were about strengthening the connection to one’s roots and identity. In a world that is rapidly globalising, these moments helped ground the children in the richness of their own culture.
A deeply touching moment in the celebration came when our Principal, Rose Johny, shared a story that will stay with us for a long time. She told us about the grandmother of one of our students, who recently completed and presented her autobiography to the school. It was a powerful testament to how storytelling is woven into the very fabric of our lives — regardless of age. We will be sharing more about this inspiring book and its author in a dedicated blog soon.
Rose also took the opportunity to honour our language teachers with a heartfelt poem she had written. Her words were a tribute to the role of educators in preserving and passing on the love for language:
To you, I plead — all you Malayalam teachers,
Give your pupils the true worth of their mother tongue.
Let their ears be tuned to the sounds and rhythm of our language.
May you never falter nor turn away from this great responsibility bestowed upon you.
For I believe it is through knowing one’s own language that we begin to truly understand ourselves.So, I urge you — give this immense opportunity to your learners,
And mould them with the greatest strength of all: the gift of the Mother Tongue.
These words resonated deeply with everyone present and served as a gentle nudge to continue nurturing the spirit of learning, reading, and self-expression.
As the activities came to a close, we were left with a quiet sense of fulfilment. The air outside was cool and rainy — perfect weather for reading. Inside our classrooms, however, was warmth — the warmth of shared stories, the excitement of discovery, and the quiet promise that every child who reads will one day write a story of their own.
At Tyros School, National Reading Day was not just a day on the calendar. It was a celebration of thought, language, and the beginning of many beautiful reading journeys.
Tyros 