IK Web Desk
Srinagar, July 26: Bisleri International, in collaboration with the National Book Trust (NBT), Ministry of Education, Government of India, on Sunday launched a multilingual comic book titled Chhota Bheem & Vidya – Big Green Mission at the Chinar Book Festival 2026 at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar.
The initiative, launched under Bisleri International’s flagship Bottles for Change programme, aims to promote environmental responsibility and awareness about plastic waste management among children through storytelling. The comic book has been published in 48 languages, including all 22 scheduled Indian languages, and 20,000 English and Urdu copies have been distributed among schools across Jammu and Kashmir.
The launch ceremony was attended by Chief Convenor of Chinar Book Festival Dr. Amit Wanchoo, Joint Director, Tourism Department, J&K, Waseem Raja (JKAS), MLA Gulmarg Pirzada Farooq Ahmed Shah, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg (IAS), Bisleri International’s Senior Lead – Partnerships & Communications Shobha Kapoor, and Director – Sustainability & Corporate Affairs K. Ganesh.
Speaking on the occasion, Bisleri International CEO Dr. Angelo George said the collaboration with the National Book Trust seeks to inspire children to adopt environmentally responsible practices through engaging storytelling. He expressed hope that the comic book would encourage young readers to embrace simple everyday actions that contribute to a more sustainable future.
National Book Trust Director Yuvraj Malik said comic books are an effective medium for engaging children and helping them understand the importance of sustainable habits. He said the partnership with Bisleri International aims to nurture informed and responsible citizens by combining education with relatable storytelling.
As part of the festival, Bisleri also organised a Bottles for Change sustainability stall displaying products made from recycled plastic. The interactive exhibition demonstrated the process of collecting, recycling and repurposing plastic waste into useful products, highlighting the importance of a circular economy and responsible waste management.
The initiative also featured a 5K Reading Marathon titled Together We Read, Together We Lead along the banks of Dal Lake, bringing together thousands of schoolchildren from across Jammu and Kashmir to promote reading, physical activity and environmental awareness. The organisers said the event was intended to seek recognition from the India Book of Records and Asia Book of Records for the maximum participation of children in a marathon promoting reading and environmental conservation.
Bisleri International said the comic book, sustainability exhibition and reading marathon collectively aim to encourage children and communities to adopt environmentally responsible practices while reinforcing the role of education and storytelling in promoting sustainable living.
