From a Simple Book Club to a Learning Community: Ankit Vyas’s Skill Sunday Journey in Surat

How a Simple Idea Became a Learning Community

In a world where people are constantly consuming information through screens and short-form content, Ankit Vyas is building a community that encourages people to slow down, read, share ideas and learn together. Through Skill Sunday, a community initiative he founded in Surat in March 2024, Ankit is working to make learning more engaging, interactive and accessible through shared experiences.

What began as a simple book club has gradually evolved into a Book Reading & Learning Community that brings people together through book discussions, interactive book workshops, Skill Sunday Talks, The English Club, Gita Circle, skill-sharing sessions and other activities at the Skill Sunday Studio. The initiative is built around one simple belief: learning becomes more meaningful when people experience it together.

A Personal Discovery That Inspired Skill Sunday

Ankit’s own relationship with reading played an important role in the beginning of Skill Sunday. He was not someone who grew up as a regular reader, but discovering books helped him understand how deeply ideas can influence the way people think. Books such as The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari introduced him to the power of reading and inspired him to create a space where others could discover similar experiences.

Rather than keeping this journey personal, he wanted to bring people together around books and meaningful conversations. He also recognised that many people genuinely wanted to read, learn and improve themselves but struggled to remain consistent. Often, the challenge was not a lack of knowledge but the absence of an environment that encouraged regular participation. This realisation became the foundation of Skill Sunday.

The initiative started with a book club, without a studio, a team or an elaborate plan. Ankit simply wanted to create opportunities for people to read, exchange ideas and learn from one another. As the community developed, he began listening to its members, exploring new formats and adapting activities according to their interests. Over time, Skill Sunday expanded beyond reading to include different forms of learning and personal development.

Beyond Books: Creating Different Ways to Learn

Each activity offers members a different way to participate. Book discussions encourage readers to exchange perspectives and reflect on what they have read. Interactive book workshops make learning more engaging, while Skill Sunday Talks provide opportunities to share ideas and experiences. Skill-sharing sessions allow members to learn from one another and contribute their own knowledge to the community.

The English Club creates a supportive environment for people who want to practise speaking English with greater confidence. Ankit has observed that some participants understand the language well but hesitate to speak. When they find an environment where they can participate without fear of judgement, they gradually become more comfortable expressing themselves.

Similarly, Gita Circle encourages open conversations around the Bhagavad Gita, allowing members to explore ideas and consider different perspectives through discussion rather than simply listening to a lecture.

Together, these activities reflect Skill Sunday’s broader approach to learning: creating opportunities for people to participate, share their experiences and grow through interaction.

The Skill Sunday Studio: A Space to Connect and Create

The opening of the Skill Sunday Studio was another significant milestone in the initiative’s journey. It gave the community a physical space where people could regularly come together to read, learn, discuss and create.

For Ankit, however, the real measure of success is not simply the number of activities organised or the attendance at individual events. It is the gradual transformation of participants into active contributors.

The studio represents an important step towards making learning a regular part of people’s lives rather than an occasional activity. It provides a setting where members can build connections, explore their interests and participate in a shared learning experience.

When a Community Becomes Part of Someone’s Story

One of the most memorable moments for Ankit came when Dr. Sakina, a member of the book club, published her first book and mentioned Skill Sunday by name in one of its chapters.

Ankit had initially started the initiative with the simple intention of bringing people together through books. Seeing the community become part of another person’s story was an overwhelming and meaningful experience. It made him realise that Skill Sunday was no longer just an initiative he was building; it had also become a part of the journeys of its members.

He has witnessed similar changes through everyday interactions. Members who initially remain quiet begin participating in discussions, while others take the initiative to lead book conversations, share their skills, speak at Skill Sunday Talks or suggest new activities.

These moments reflect the kind of community Ankit hopes to nurture, where people do not simply attend events but actively contribute to the collective experience.

The Challenges of Building a Consistent Community

Building such a community has not been without challenges. For Ankit, consistency has been one of the biggest difficulties. Organising a successful event is different from creating an environment that people continue returning to and supporting.

Skill Sunday has experienced events with low attendance, ideas that did not work and situations that required him to rethink existing plans. These experiences have taught him the importance of experimenting, listening to feedback and adapting to the needs of the community.

The journey has also influenced his personal approach to building the initiative. Instead of assuming that people will enjoy every idea he develops, he now focuses more on understanding what the community actually needs.

This willingness to learn from setbacks has become an important part of Skill Sunday’s development, helping Ankit refine activities and explore ways to make the community more engaging.

The Role of Family Support in His Journey

Ankit’s family has supported him along the way. His wife has helped manage Skill Sunday’s social media, photographed book meetups and attended many gatherings.

Although she was not particularly interested in books when the initiative began, she gradually developed an interest in reading and started exploring books she enjoyed. Ankit has also discussed his ideas with his parents and sought their feedback.

Their involvement has been an important source of support as he continues to develop the initiative and explore new opportunities for the community.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Skill Sunday’s Learning Initiatives

Looking ahead, Ankit wants to strengthen Skill Sunday’s Book Reading & Learning Community and make its different activities more structured. He hopes to develop additional interactive book workshops for schools, colleges, young people and professionals while continuing to grow Skill Sunday Talks, The English Club, Gita Circle and skill-sharing initiatives.

He also envisions the Skill Sunday Studio becoming a regular place where people can read, learn, exchange ideas and create together.

Beyond these activities, his larger ambition is to encourage a stronger reading and learning culture. He believes that learning should extend beyond consuming information through books, videos and courses. People should have opportunities to discuss what they learn, understand different viewpoints and apply ideas in their everyday lives.

A Simple Idea With the Potential to Create Change

For those who want to contribute to society but do not know where to begin, Ankit believes the first step is to start with something they genuinely care about. A small reading group, a skill-sharing session or a conversation around a meaningful subject can gradually develop into something larger.

Skill Sunday’s journey reflects how a simple idea can grow through consistency, experimentation and community participation. What started as a book club has become a space where people can discover new interests, develop confidence and learn from one another.

For Ankit Vyas, the real achievement lies in creating an environment where people feel that they belong and have something valuable to contribute. Sometimes, meaningful change begins not with a perfect plan, but with one small idea and the willingness to keep moving forward.

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