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The Hindu
a day ago
- General
- The Hindu
Reading is alive, it has just changed with the times: CM
Reading is far from a dying habit, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said. He was delivering the keynote address after performing the State-level inauguration of the 30th Reading Day celebrations organised by the P.N. Panicker Foundation here on Thursday. Underscoring the evolving nature of literacy in the digital age, the Chief Minister said, 'The age of reading is not ending; reading is just changing according to the times.' Instead of physical books, people now made use of digital platforms and podcasts. Even as there was talk of change, the basis of the wealth of knowledge was still those books, Mr. Vijayan said. Panicker's contribution Recalling the contributions of P.N. Panicker, Mr. Vijayan said he was one of the most prominent leaders of the library movement. He was considered to have taught the Malayali to read. He set up the Sanadanadharmam library at his birthplace Neelamperoor to enter public life. His efforts to set up libraries across the State and promote them were a part of the State's history, the Chief Minister said. Panicker's message of 'Read and grow, think and gain wisdom' was still relevant. Each Reading Day observance was a reminder of modern Kerala's rich culture, he said. National campaign He spoke of the State's historical role in spearheading reading movements and affirmed its continued commitment to nurturing a reading culture among its people. The celebrations mark the beginning of a month-long national campaign to promote reading. The observance will continue till July 18, with activities spanning all States, the Chief Minister said. Schoolchildren who attended the event recited a reading pledge prepared by the foundation. The ambitious 'One lakh Vaayanasadhas' project that aims to organise 1,00,000 reading forums across the country was rolled out on the occasion. Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty presided. P.N. Panicker Foundation vice chairman N. Balagopal spoke.
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)
