Read to India
From ancient myths passed down through generations to the bedtime stories we tell our children, storytelling is a core part of human life. The feeling of being transported to another world, connecting with characters and ideas —everyone deserves that experience. And that’s what Read to India is making possible.
The publishing industry is more than just ink on paper. Visually impaired people have faced problems in accessing literature. But that’s changing, thanks to the dedication and innovation of companies like Read to India, which are making storytelling accessible to all.
Read to India, founded by Gauri Gupta, is leading this movement. With a passion for accessible literature, Gauri saw a huge gap in resources for visually impaired people in the realm of mythology and cultural stories. Her journey shows her dedication to creating a more inclusive literary world. Founded in 2020, Read to India offers both a tactile book platform (B2C) and an author submission app (B2B), letting authors write inclusive stories and connecting them with visually challenged readers. Gauri believes in the power of storytelling to educate, inspire, and connect communities, and she wants to make literature available to all.
Read to India provides a range of tactile books focusing on mythology, storytelling, and cultural narratives. The platform lets authors submit manuscripts for tactile conversion, building creativity and inclusivity in the publishing process. She has worked with schools, libraries, and NGOs to reach over 2,000 students and engage more than 30 creators. Through impactful initiatives and strategic partnerships, Read to India has established itself as a trusted brand dedicated to empowering the visually impaired community.
In the spotlight is founder Gauri Gupta in an interview for our esteemed “The 20 Most Innovative Companies To Watch In 2025” edition. Learn from her insights and valuable lessons as an entrepreneur to excel and build an incredible company. Stay tuned to discover her tale of success.
Prime Insights: What inspired you to start your company?
My inspiration stemmed from the lack of accessible literature for visually impaired individuals. I realized that storytelling and education, particularly in mythology and cultural narratives, were inaccessible. Read to India Express was founded to fill this gap by providing tactile books, helping authors, and building inclusivity in literature.
Prime Insights: What were the initial challenges faced by your business?
The initial challenges included overcoming the high costs and technical barriers in converting manuscripts into tactile books, along with the lack of a dedicated platform to connect authors with inclusive publishing opportunities for the visually impaired community.
Prime Insights: How is your brand defining “trust” in the market? What stands behind its uniqueness?
My brand is built on trust through inclusivity and accessibility. What sets it apart is the integrated platform that helps authors create tactile books, with a focus on building creativity, education, and cultural preservation for visually impaired individuals.
Prime Insights: What are the offerings (services/solutions)?
Read to India Express provides two key solutions:
- Tactile Book Platform (B2C): Offers tactile books focusing on mythology, storytelling, and cultural narratives for visually impaired readers.
- Author Submission App (B2B): Allows authors to submit manuscripts for tactile conversion, helping them publish inclusive stories for the disabled community.
Prime Insights: In an age of mistrust, are you seeing an evolution in how consumers trust brands, or are they still for the most part doubtful?
Consumers are increasingly valuing brands that prioritize transparency, inclusivity, and social impact. At Read to India Express, I build trust by offering tangible solutions for the visually impaired community and empowering authors, fostering a sense of credibility and positive impact.
Prime Insights: How did you make your mark in the industry and the hearts of the customers?
I made my mark by making literature accessible to visually impaired individuals. Through achievements, partnerships with schools and NGOs, and my platform for authors, I’ve earned the recognition and trust of my customers with meaningful, inclusive storytelling.
Prime Insights: What is a customer for you?
A customer for me is anyone who seeks inclusive storytelling and accessible education. This includes visually impaired individuals, educators, caregivers, and authors looking to publish their work for the disabled community, all of whom benefit from my tactile books and platform.
Prime Insights: How well are the clients connected with your brand?
My clients connect with me through my commitment to inclusivity. I provide tactile books for children, educational institutions, libraries, and personal use, focusing on mythology, creative storytelling, and cultural narratives. I help authors, content creators, and educators through my submission platform, training, and workshops. My app provides access, builds engagement, and makes storytelling truly inclusive.
Prime Insights: What are the most effective marketing initiatives you have used to promote your services?
My most effective marketing initiatives are:
- Partnering with 3+ schools, libraries, and NGOs to reach my target audience, impacting over 2,000 students and engaging 30+ creators.
- Showcasing my products at relevant events like Jaipur Art Week, reaching and impacting 500+ students.
- Using social media to raise awareness about my mission to help the visually impaired community with accessible storytelling.
Prime Insights: Any new categories or changes this year?
This year, I’m expanding my offerings by introducing more diverse themes for tactile books, focusing on educational content alongside mythology and storytelling. I have already started working on the Ramayana and Mahabharata books. Additionally, I’m enhancing my author submission platform with new features to support more authors in publishing inclusive works.
Prime Insights: Have you measured how much trust consumers have in your brand?
Yes, I measure consumer trust through feedback from my users—visually impaired readers, educators, and authors. Positive testimonials, repeat engagement, and growing partnerships with schools and NGOs show the trust my brand has earned in the market.
Prime Insights: What’s the first thing that enters a consumer’s mind when they see your brand?
The first thing that enters a consumer’s mind when they see Read to India Express is inclusivity. They associate my brand with accessible literature, helping the visually impaired community, and a platform that bridges the gap between authors and readers through tactile books.
Prime Insights: What is the plan connected with the brand?
My plan is to expand Read to India Express globally, increasing the variety of tactile books and resources for visually impaired readers. I want more authors to publish inclusive works so that creative storytelling and cultural education are accessible to all.
Prime Insights: How has your journey been as an entrepreneur?
My journey as an entrepreneur has been both challenging and rewarding. Overcoming technical barriers, building a unique platform, and receiving recognition through awards have fueled my passion. The impact I’ve made in empowering visually impaired individuals keeps me motivated to push boundaries and create a more inclusive world.
Prime Insights: What do you hope to accomplish within the next year in your personal and professional life?
- Personally: I want to grow as a leader and strengthen my entrepreneurial skills.
- Professionally: I aim to expand Read to India Express by reaching over 10,000 visually impaired readers, helping more authors, and building partnerships with 30+ organizations to further my mission of inclusivity in literature and education.
Prime Insights: A piece of advice for young entrepreneurs.
My advice to young entrepreneurs is to stay persistent and passionate about your mission. Focus on solving real problems, be adaptable in the face of challenges, and build strong connections with your community. Success comes from resilience, creativity, and a genuine desire to make an impact.
