MUMBAI, India, February 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- India's free-scoring batsmen ensured the Reliance Life Insurance 'Boundaries for Books' initiative, in partnership with the International Cricket Council and Room to Read, started with a bang on Saturday in Dhaka bringing fully functional libraries, books, and trained teacher-librarians to at least 300 underprivileged children across India.

It was a dream debut for the 'Boundaries for Books' campaign as the game saw the second highest match aggregate in ICC Cricket World Cup history, with 10 sixes hit in the very first match of the competition between India and Bangladesh, with Reliance Life Insurance donating Rs 25,000 every time the ball cleared the boundary.

Virender Sehwag smashed five sixes in his memorable innings of 175, while Virat Kohli also hit two balls over the ropes in his magnificent century on his debut appearance at the ICC Cricket World Cup.

Three Bangladesh players, Tamim Iqbal, Zunaed Siddique and Roqibul Hassan, also hit sixes, meaning Reliance Life Insurance donated Rs. 250,000 at the opening game.

The 10 sixes hit during the match were the second most sixes hit during an opening game in ICC Cricket World Cup history. Only in 2003, when South Africa and West Indies hit 13 between them, have there been more sixes in an opening game, although the opening match in 1983 between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at Swansea also saw 10 sixes.

Cricket fans and the public in general also have the opportunity to contribute to this fight against illiteracy, through convenient payment options:

SMS : BOOKS < space > < Donation Amount > to 5667711

Online : http://www.facebook.com/RelianceLifeInsurance or www.roomtoread.org/worldcup

Cheque : Payable to 'Room to Read India Trust' . Address: Rajesh Bhattacharya, Room to Read India' E 18-A, East of Kailash, New Delhi, 110 065.

As announced earlier Reliance Life Insurance, in a first-of-its-kind initiative - 'Boundaries for Books' - will contribute Rs. 25,000 for every six hit during the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. This donation will be made to Room to Read, towards establishing libraries and providing local language and English books to underserved children across India. Every single six will ensure that at least 30 children get access to fully functional libraries with books and trained teachers, thereby catalyzing a long-term revolution amongst young minds that will lead the future of India.

The Reliance Life Insurance 'Boundaries for Books' campaign has received the support of a number of high profile players. These include Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews and Australia's Shane Watson, who have become the first cricketers to become global Room to Read Ambassadors, while the likes of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, Ricky Ponting and Dale Steyn have all recorded messages to encourage cricket fans to support this initiative by generously contributing to the 'Boundaries for Books' campaign.

Reliance Big FM, has started a special 'Hit Illiteracy for a Six' segment, Big Cinema, Big CBS and various other Reliance ADA Group platforms will reach out to the masses encouraging them to contribute to 'Hit 'Illiteracy for a Six'. Prizes for top donors - such as invitations to an exclusive Reliance event in Mumbai with cricketers and other prominent personalities, signed memorabilia, photo opportunities and other incentives - will help propel the cause.

Notes on Fours and Sixes - In the ICC CWC 2007 there were 51 matches in which 1808 fours and 373 sixes were hit. That makes 35 fours and 7 sixes per match. - In ODI cricket in 2010 (same format as the ICC CWC 2011) there were 142 matches in which 5219 fours and 820 sixes were hit. That makes 37 fours and 6 sixes per match.