Rev. Dr. Joseph M.K., Head of the Department of Social Work, delivered the keynote address at a programme on “Community Engagement in Literacy Promotion” on 11 March 2026, organised under Aksharadeepam, a flagship literacy initiative involving Kudumbashree members. He emphasized the importance of community participation, the role of public libraries in fostering inclusive literacy practices, and the need for academic–community collaboration. His scholarly contributions to community-based literacy initiatives reflect a sustained commitment to participatory approaches that strengthen reading culture and social empowerment.