The H T Parekh Foundation was established in 2012 to commemorate the birth centenary of Mr. H T Parekh, Founder Chairman of HDFC Limited. The Foundation carries forward his legacy of service to society and his deep commitment to India’s development sector. Among
its many impactful initiatives, the Foundation has pioneered Doorbeen, (pronounced dūr-bīn), meaning “telescope” in Hindi, an initiative aimed at enriching children’s lives through the magic of reading. Like a telescope that brings distant wonders into focus, this initiative aims to unlock the vast potential within every child through the power of reading. Books, much like telescopes, reveal incredible worlds, filled with new ideas, far-off places, and endless adventures, inspiring children to dream, laugh, and even rethink their perspectives.
Doorbeen builds a culture of reading by nurturing a comprehensive ecosystem from establishing school and community libraries to producing regional children’s literature and training library practitioners. This holistic approach addresses both the physical and intellectual needs of learning spaces, creating an environment where reading can thrive. This year, Doorbeen is placing a special emphasis on maximizing the use of public city spaces to create engaging, joyful reading experiences for all children. The Little Festival marks the first step in this exciting endeavour. Designed to bring books to life for children, the festival will turn the NCPA space into reading zones, filled with activities that inspire a love for stories and exploration. Through author interactions, storytelling sessions, and hands-on creative workshops, the festival will immerse children in a world of literature, making reading an adventure.
Through Doorbeen, the Foundation aims to foster critical thinking, language development, and socio-emotional growth in children. The libraries it supports are nurturing environments where children can explore their curiosity, think independently, and grow emotionally in a supportive setting. H T Parekh Foundation is committed towards developing a culture of joyful reading and nurturing a lifelong love for it among children.