Kolkata, January 28, 2026:
Children’s Book Trust (CBT), India’s pioneering non-profit publisher dedicated to children’s literature, marked Children’s Happiness Day at the ongoing 49th International Kolkata Book Fair by launching a powerful reading awareness initiative titled “Book Helps, Mobile Harms.” The campaign aims to rekindle children’s love for books while drawing attention to the growing concerns around excessive mobile phone usage among young readers.
Located at Stall No. E-63, CBT is showcasing a curated collection of over 1,000 affordable children’s books in English, Bengali, Hindi, and Urdu, including picture books, storybooks, and knowledge-based, value-driven titles. The initiative reinforces CBT’s belief that books remain the most effective medium for nurturing imagination, learning, and holistic development in children.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kishore Lal, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Children’s Book Trust, said,
“Our participation in the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair is not merely about selling books; it is about reconnecting children with the joy of reading. Through the ‘Book Helps, Mobile Harms’ campaign, we are responding to parents’ concerns about excessive screen exposure and reaffirming that books remain the most powerful medium for learning, imagination, and value formation.”
With a legacy of 69 years, the New Delhi-based Children’s Book Trust has played a pivotal role in shaping generations of readers through high-quality, well-illustrated, and accessible Indian children’s literature. CBT’s participation at the Kolkata Book Fair also aligns with its broader ‘Look East Policy’, under which the Trust is intensifying its outreach across Eastern and North-Eastern India.
Ms. Rana Siddiqui Zaman, Lead Strategist – Content, Communications and Promotions, Children’s Book Trust, highlighted the urgency of the campaign, stating,
“Children today are spending far too much time on digital screens. Books help nurture curiosity, imagination, concentration, and a healthy outlook towards life. As a non-profit trust, our goal is to ensure that good books remain accessible and affordable for every child, especially those from low-income families.”
The celebrations witnessed the presence of children from Child in Need Institute (CINI), symbolising CBT’s commitment to inclusive learning and child development. Renowned storyteller Golpo Dida, Ms. Sudeshna Mitra, Mr. Sujoy Roy, National Advocacy Manager, CINI, along with Ms. Rana Siddiqui Zaman, graced the occasion and interacted with children, parents, and visitors, reinforcing the collective responsibility of society to nurture young minds through reading.
The “Book Helps, Mobile Harms” campaign addresses growing concerns among parents and educators regarding the adverse impact of excessive screen time on children’s eyesight, mental well-being, concentration, and overall development. In contrast, the campaign highlights the long-term benefits of reading, including improved focus, creativity, critical thinking, and sustained knowledge generation.
Supporting CBT’s initiative, global data from the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report 2023–24 reveals that at least 79 education systems worldwide have introduced bans on smartphone use in classrooms, acknowledging the negative impact of mobile phones on learning outcomes. Research further indicates that prolonged screen exposure—especially before bedtime—can disrupt sleep, reduce attention span, impair memory, and negatively affect emotional well-being in children.
CBT’s focused outreach under its ‘Look East Policy’ is increasingly resonating across cities and towns such as Asansol, Patna, Panagarh, Siliguri, Ranchi, Guwahati, Darjeeling, and Shillong, where parents and children alike are eagerly embracing opportunities to rediscover the joy of reading.
