Reading Association of India (RAI) is a national affiliate of International Reading Association, Newark, USA. Prof. S.Y. Shah Executive Committee Member of IAEA has been elected as the President of the Reading Association of India for a term of three years, from 2011-2013. Others elected are Shri H.C. Parekh, President Elect, Dr. V. Mohankumar, Secretary, Dr. Madan Singh, Treasurer. Other members are Prof. B.S. Garg, Dr. M.S. Ranawat, Shri Sudhir Chatterjee, Smt. Rajashree Biswas, Dr. V. Reghu, Dr. P. Adinarayana Reddy, Dr. L.Raja, Shri A.L. Bhargava, Shri A.H. Khan, Prof. K.R. Susheele Gowda, Dr. O.P.M. Tripathi, Smt. Nishat Farooq, Dr. S.L. Sharma, Shri S.C. Khandelwal, and Smt. Kalpana Kaushik.

The seminar was chaired by Dr. H. Parameswaran, Former Principal, University College, Thiruvananthapuram and was inaugurated by Dr. A. Sukumaran Nair, former Vice- Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. The inaugural session was addressed by Dr. G. Balamohan Thampi, former Vice Chancellor, University of Kerala and Dr. K. Sivadasan Pillai memorial speech was delivered by Dr. A.R. Supriya, Director-in-charge, Centre for Adult Continuing Education & Extension, University of Kerala. A book titled 'Anaupacharika Vidyabhyasa Darsanam' (Vision on Non-formal Education - a collection of articles by Dr. K. Sivadasan Pillai) published by Kerala State Resource Centre was released on this occasion by Dr. Balamohan Thampi by handing over the first copy to Prof. Abdul Wahab, Former member of Minority Commission and Principal, Iqbal College, Peringammala. Dr. T. Sundaresan Nair, Director, SRC, Kerala gave introductory remarks about the book. Dr. C.P. Aravindakshan, former Director, Jan Sikshan Sansthan, Thiruvananthapuram, Dr. C.P. Sreekantan Nair, President, Council for Teacher Educators, Kerala, Dr.K.Krishnakumari, Former Head, Dept. of Demography, University of Kerala, Dr. K. Mohan Das, Project Officer, CACEE, University of Kerala and Dr. V.M. Sasikumar, Executive Director of Dr. K. Sivadasan Pillai Foundation (SPFERD) addressed the gathering. In the academic session Dr. A. Muralidharan Tampi, President, IAEA, Kerala State Branch and Behavioural Consultant presented a paper on 'Reading Habit - a Behavioural Therapy' followed by Dr. V. Reghu, Faculty Head, School of Youth Studies, Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, Sriperumbudur, Chennai on 'Youth and Employability' , Dr. Ajith Prabhu, Joint Director & Officer in charge of Library, Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of Kerala on 'Transformation of Libraries vs Transformation of Society', and Shri. Janardana Iyer, Senior Health Social Worker presented the cancer care messages. Each of the presentation was followed by a discussion. Shri. Harish Kumar. S, Secretary, IAEA, Kerala State Branch and Executive Committee member, IAEA delivered the vote of thanks

Dr. Merlene Mercado Alon, Vice Chair of the Reading Associaition of Philippines (RAP) and Chair (2011-12), International Development in Asia Committee (IDAC) was in India to speak at the Leadership Workshop organized by Reading Association of India (RAI) in collaboration with the Eastern Zone Council of the RAI at Kolkata. Dr. Merlene on her way to Kolkatta spent two days in Delhi and visited the India office of the RAI on October 19, 2011 and interacted with Delhi based members of RAI, specially the current and the past Presidents, Professor S.Y. Shah and Shri K.C. Choudhary, Dr.V.Mohankumar, Secretary of RAI and the Director of IAEA, eminent educationists and academic staff of IAEA. Among those present were Dr. Rajesh, Dr. J.P. Dubey, Dr.V. K. Dixit and Research Scholars from the Department of Adult Continuing Education and Extension, Delhi University. The discussion was cent ered around the currentliteracy scenario in India and importance of promoting literacy and reading habits among adults and children and the various strategies adopted by the Government of India and universities and NGOs. In this context Dr. Mereline shared her experience in Philippines. Dr. Merelene was presented a set of publications brought out by Indian Adult Education Association and International Institute of Adult and Lifelong Education.