MANCHESTER — As a child in India, Harsh Bhasin’s parents instilled in him a belief that education is the key to thriving in this world. Recently, with the efforts of a community behind him, Bhasin shared his love of learning by donating a book to every kindergarten, first, and second grade student at Manchester Elementary and Middle School (MEMS).
“[Growing up] it was important for us that, whether we had anything else or not, we should have education,” Bhasin said, as waves of excited students – books in hand – filed by to say ‘thank you.’ “This is where the foundations of education start, at this level.”
The idea was first prompted by Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a promise to mail free books to children from birth until they start school. While the impact of Parton’s efforts can’t be discounted, Bhasin expressed his wish to see older kids receive the same support – especially when they are old enough to begin reading by themselves.
Bhasin expressed the thought to his daughter Ritika, who encouraged him to “go ahead, do it.”
“We’ve been extremely close, my daughter and myself,” Bhasin said. “We exchange views and talk to each other, and she actually pushed me on.”
With Ritika’s nudge, Bhasin brought the idea to his financial advisor, Caralee Kennedy. Kennedy has also been integral to the development of regular “CommUNITY” events to celebrate black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) members of the Northshire community, hosted by the Manchester Community Library (MCL). Kennedy’s connection with the MCL eventually brought the organization on board in support of Bhasin’s initiative, according to Executive Director Ed Surjan.
“When you’re in the room, the whole thing feels spontaneous,” Surjan said, as waves of students surged around him in a flurry of crisp pages and crunchy animal crackers. “That is the result of a ton of effort on a whole bunch of people’s part to make it happen.”
Surjan contacted Randi Lowe, Superintendent of the Bennington Rutland Supervisory Union (BRSU), as well as MEMS Principal Harrison Shulman, to begin fleshing out the idea. The connection with MEMS felt natural for Bhasin, whose granddaughters currently attend kindergarten and second grade at the school.
Next came the Ihasz sisters — Ashley, Nicole and Cathleen — who own Northshire Bookstore in Manchester. After Surjan reached out, the store offered to provide the books at a discounted price.
Finally, on Friday, Nov. 22, the orchestrations that so many contributed to paid off.
“Guess what?” said MEMS special educator Jessica Kuzmich to first grade students, still neatly gathered on color-blocked carpet following a special reading from MCL Children’s Librarian Carson Schafer of “Strictly No Elephants,” by Lisa Mantchev. “We have someone in this room that wants each of you to have a copy of this special book to bring home to your family, and read with them the same message you guys love from this book.”
Little eyes darted about as smiles began to break out. The room truly erupted, however, when Kuzmich announced that animal crackers and juice would accompany their free books.
All of the donated books – “Can I Join Your Club,” by John Kelly for kindergarteners; “Strictly No Elephants,” for first grade; and “Try a Little Kindness,” by Henry Cole for second – focused on the theme of kindness, chosen by MEMS teachers.
“They really thought about what book would make such an impact in their lives and what they’re interested in,” Kuzmich said, speaking up so the classroom’s cacophony doesn’t overwhelm her words. “You can hear the laughter in the kids and, I mean, that’s one of our goals, right? To foster a love for literacy at our school.”
“I think it’s great that every student, regardless of their access to the bookstore or libraries, are all going home with the same book that has the same message,” added First Grade Teacher Rebecca Van Der Kar.
“There’s nothing like getting a brand new book,” said Second Grade Teacher Jessica Waller. “And really, this is where you need to get them… When the children go home, and the families will see that, they’re going to feel the same way.”
Principal Shulman agrees.
“These are the sort of partnerships that we want more of,” he said. “Everybody coming together and supporting the kids and literacy, and getting them excited about books. It makes school come alive.”
For Bhasin, the actual distribution of the books provided a rare opportunity to see – and feel – his beliefs in action.
“Education is key,” Bhasin reiterated. “That’s how we’ve been successful in life.”
Though his father was relatively “well to do,” Bhasin notes that educational opportunities weren’t as widespread in India during the middle of the 20th century.
“Education was important, but not everyone could get it,” Bhasin said. “Our family was one where education was the key.”
Because they lived in an area without high-quality schools, Bhasin’s parents sent him and his siblings to a more reliable boarding school. Though he wasn’t always a top student, Bhasin says his mother instilled in him a passion for perseverance.
“She said, ‘You will go places because you are persevering and you are hard working,’” Bhasin said. “And that’s been my life’s motto.”
“All of them are going to choose different paths of life,” he continued, gesturing toward the students. “But, if they’re educated, they’ll make the right choices.”
Ritika, beaming with pride for her father’s generosity and joy in seeing her children among the excited crowd, said that Bhasin has always been one to make a moment and make a difference.
“He sees how reading is really important, and there are times that kids don’t get the opportunity to be able to do that,” Ritika said. “He wants to be able to contribute so that everyone might.”
“I think that with the holidays coming, reading a book together is another way to bring everyone together,” she added. “It’s perfect timing.”
Bhasin plans to make the book donation and distribution an annual event, he said, with another grade being added on each year so that all MEMS students will eventually be included.
“This was very unexpected,” Kuzmich said. “We’re just very lucky to have such an amazing community member wanting to embrace and foster a love for literacy in our school.”
“We should say thank you when we get a gift,” added Waller, as students continued to express their gratitude to Bhasin individually. “We are very thankful that this happened.”
This post was originally published on here
