National Reading Day observed on June 19.
Important Days
India observes National Reading Day every year on June 19 to honor Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker, the father of the library movement in India. The day celebrates literacy, reflects on Panicker’s legacy, and promotes reading culture through events nationwide.
- National Reading Day commemorates the death anniversary (June 19, 1995) of P. N. Panicker, a pioneering teacher who ignited Kerala’s library movement beginning with the Sanadana Dharma Library in 1945 and founded the Kerala Granthshala Sangham.
- His efforts led to over 6,000 rural libraries by 1956 and a literacy boom in Kerala. Kerala began observing the day in 1996, and in 2017, Prime Minister Narendera Modi officially declared it a national observance.
- Celebrations include reading sessions, book fairs, seminars, and “Reading Week” (Vayana Varam) from June 19–25, especially in Kerala. In 2025, the movement expanded across 21 states and Union Territories, with over 1 million participants, including children reading at NGMA galleries in Mumbai and Delhi.
Main Point :- (i) Beyond celebrating Panicker’s legacy, the day emphasizes nurturing reading habits in a digital era. It’s a platform to promote literacy, cultural enrichment, and community engagement, encouraging children and adults alike to discover the joy and power of reading.
(ii) National Reading Day can be celebrated in simple yet meaningful ways. People are encouraged to read a new or their favorite book to reconnect with the joy of reading. Schools organize activities like reading marathons, quizzes, and bookmark-making workshops to engage students. Libraries and museums conduct storytelling sessions and book exhibitions to promote literary awareness. Families and individuals can also take reading pledges, share inspirational quotes, or post messages on social media to spread the message and encourage reading habits across generations.
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