Rajasthan Youth Association (RYA) hosted its 63rd Annual Book Distribution Function today at Valluvar Kottam Auditorium in Chennai, continuing a six-decade-long initiative that provides academic textbooks to students pursuing higher education. The event was inaugurated by Thiru G. L. Gnanatheva, Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, as the Chief Guest. Shri Ashok Kumar Mundhra, Secretary, D.G. Vaishnav College, and Shri Rajesh Surana, Founder & CEO, Med Code Service Inc., attended the event as Guests of Honour. Shri Gouthamchand Jain, Former Chairman of the RYA Book Bank, was felicitated during the occasion.
The event was marked with TAMIL THAI VALTHU and Prayer followed by
Vivek Bomb, President, Rajasthan Youth Association, welcomed the gathering and said, “The Book Bank Project has always been guided by a simple objective—to ensure that no deserving student is deprived of education because of the cost of textbooks.What began as a humble initiative has evolved into a movement that continues to remove barriers to learning and nurture the aspirations of thousands of students.”The continued support of our members, donors, and volunteers has enabled us to positively impact more than 1.60 lakh students over the past 63 years, and we remain committed to expanding this effort in the years ahead.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. G. L. Gnanatheva, Minister (Commerce), Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka to South India, Chennai, India, said,”Education is one of the most valuable investments in the future, and initiatives like the Rajasthan Youth Association’s Book Bank Project ensure that financial constraints do not stand in the way of learning. For over six decades, RYA has empowered thousands of deserving students through education, strengthening communities and inspiring future generations. I congratulate the Association on its remarkable contribution and wish all the students continued success in their academic journey.”
Speaking about the vision and legacy of the initiative, Bipin M. Jain, Book Bank Chairman, gave his report for the year 2026-27 and highlighted that books are given for Arts, Science and Engineering courses to all college students across Chennai, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur and Chengalpet irrespective of Caste, Creed and Religion.He also briefed on the working of the book bank by a visual presentation.
Guest of honor Shri Ashok Kumar Mundhra and Rajesh Surana motivated the students by their talk and appreciated the work done by RYA book bank since 1964.
All the Guest and Donors were honored on this occasion. Shri Vikas Mardia , secretary proposed vote of thanks. Program concluded with National Anthem.