Tendulkar's ton becomes high point of a literacy initiative

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar's 48th one-day ton on Saturday has made him one of the highest contributor to a literacy intiative for children launched by Reliance Life during the ongoing world cup cricket tournament.

Called the "Boundaries for Books Initiative", under the scheme Rs.25,000 will be contributed to a global non-profit organisation, Room to Read, to promote literacy and gender equality in education for every six hit during the world cup. Sachin has hit eight sixes so far in the tournament.

Every single six will provide at least 30 underserved children with access to fully functional libraries with local language and english books as well as trained teachers. The company also contributed Rs.10,000 for every four in the India-England match to Room to Read under the same initiative.

Over 5,000 children have already benefited under this campaign as players hit almost 143 sixes in the world cup so far.

Other Indian players who have hit sixes in the world cup include Virender Sehwag (7 sixes) and Yusuf Pathan (5 sixes). The foreign players include names like K.A. Pollard (West Indies -- 9 sixes) and J.P. Duminy (South Africa -- 4 sixes).

India captain MS Dhoni and other leading cricketers of the world including Shane Watson andAngelo Mathews back the campaign.

"We are delighted to see that our "Boundaries for Books" campaign to hit illiteracy for a six is a huge success and has already benefited over 5,000 children. Introducing the minds of disadvantaged young children to the enchanting world of books and the learnings they will get from that rare experience is a joy and privilege for us", said a Reliance Life official.