Latest news with #P.N.Panicker
News18
13 hours ago
- General
- News18
National Reading Day 2025: How To Cultivate A Reading Habit?
Last Updated: National Reading Day 2025: The day honours P.N. Panicker, the "Father of the Library and Literacy Movement," for promoting literacy and establishing public libraries. National Reading Day 2025: Observed in India every year on June 19, National Reading Day to honour Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker (P.N. Panicker), a visionary who played a pivotal role in fostering a culture of reading across Kerala. Widely revered as the 'Father of the Library and Literacy Movement", Panicker dedicated his life to promoting literacy and empowering communities through books. His tireless efforts laid the foundation for a knowledge-driven society and continue to inspire generations to embrace the transformative power of reading. Though the national observance of Reading Day is a relatively recent initiative, Kerala has been commemorating P.N. Panicker's contributions since 1996. The state began observing June 19, the day Panicker passed away in 1995, as a tribute to his transformative role in Kerala's literacy movement. In 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially declared June 19 as National Reading Day, extending the observance to a national level. The day honours P.N. Panicker's unparalleled efforts in ushering Kerala into an era of universal literacy. A teacher by profession, Panicker spearheaded a grassroots library movement in the early to mid-20th century, significantly expanding access to books and knowledge. His mission to instil the habit of reading among the masses laid the foundation for what would become one of India's most literate states. Through his leadership in establishing public libraries across Kerala, Panicker earned lasting recognition as the 'Father of the Library and Literacy Movement." The first library that he dedicated to the public was established in 1926. At the time, it was called the 'Sanadanadharmam Library". The various public libraries that he helped set up across Kerala over the next several years laid the foundation for the formation of the Travancore Library Association in 1945. The association, initially comprising 47 local libraries, later evolved into the Kerala Granthsala Sangham (KGS). After Kerala gained statehood in 1956, the KGS grew significantly to include nearly 6,000 libraries. The body ultimately became the Kerala State Library Council after being taken over by the Kerala government in 1977. National Reading Day 2025 is the perfect occasion to rekindle one's love for reading or to instil it if they never had one to begin with. It is also a great opportunity to bring together like-minded people to build a community of readers. National Reading Day focuses on the importance that books and the wisdom contained in them hold for the holistic development of humanity. How To Cultivate A Reading Habit Join a community of book readers online or at a local library. Exchange literary takeaways with fellow readers. Buy a collection of books of your favourite genre. Be patient. Do not get discouraged if the initial chapters of a book do not interest you. Read till the end. First Published:
The Hindu
20 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Reading vital to social development: Bindu
Stressing the importance of reading for social development, Minister for Higher Education R. Bindu inaugurated the State-level observance of Reading Week organised by the Kerala State Library Council here on Thursday. The Minister lauded the council as a unique and commendable movement that had made significant contributions to Kerala's social, cultural, and intellectual landscape. 'The era of literacy movement was the most culturally dynamic period in our history. This moment calls us to reclaim that spirit — reviving the energy and atmosphere of those times to inspire our youth and students towards a culture of reading and active civic engagement,' she said. Reading Day is observed on June 19 in memory of P.N. Panicker, the visionary who championed the message 'Read and Grow, Think and Become Wise.' The celebration will continue until July 7, the birth anniversary of I.V. Das, a key figure in Kerala's library movement, with the aim of making reading and libraries more accessible and people-centred across the State. K.V. Kunjikrishnan, president of the Kerala State Library Council, presided over the function. Writer and speaker K.E.N. Kunhahammed delivered the keynote address on the topic 'Conflicts in Reading.' Murali Perunelli, MLA, president of the District Library Council, delivered the Reading Day message, while council member T.K. Vasu paid tributes to P.N. Panicker. Thudi music-dance performance by the Kerala Kalamandalam added colour to the event.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Nationwide ‘Vaayanasadhas' to mark 30th National Reading Day celebrations
By Chandhana V. Gopan In a major initiative to promote reading and literacy, the P.N. Panicker Foundation will organise around one lakh 'Vaayanasadhas' across the country as part of the 30th National Reading Day celebrations. The nationwide year-long campaign that kicks off on June 19 seeks to rekindle the culture of reading among people of all ages and backgrounds by taking reading to the heart of communities. The Vaayanasadhas, or collective reading sessions, will be held in public and private spaces ranging from schools and colleges to libraries, bus stops, markets, and other community gathering points. The initiative draws inspiration from the late P.N. Panicker, often referred to as the father of the library and literacy movement in Kerala. His legacy continues to shape reading campaigns across the nation. 'These sessions aim at encouraging reading of books and newspapers and fostering discussions on the importance of reading as a habit and a tool for empowerment. The P.N. Panicker Foundation sees it as our duty to not only promote reading among communities but also literacy. The foundation has played a major role in achievement of the high literacy rate in the State,' says N. Balagopal, vice chairman of the foundation and son of P.N. Panicker. This year's effort marks a significant expansion of the foundation's activities, with an emphasis on inclusivity and community participation. National Reading Day, observed on June 19 every year to commemorate Panicker's death anniversary, has grown from a Kerala-based observance to a national movement. The week following Reading Day is celebrated as Reading Week. With the scale and scope of this year's initiative, the foundation hopes to inspire a nationwide reading revolution that strengthens literacy, critical thinking, and cultural awareness. The inauguration of the Vaayanasadhas will be held at the official launch of the Reading Day celebrations by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at Tagore Theatre here on June 19. (The writer is an intern with the The Hindu Thiruvananthapuram Bureau)
