Schools Across India Celebrate National Reading Day, Fostering a Culture of Reading

Educational institutions across India actively observed National Reading Day on June 19. This day is dedicated to the memory of P.N. Panicker, widely regarded as the 'Father of the Library Movement' in Kerala. The observance aims to cultivate reading habits among the youth and encourage a widespread culture of knowledge acquisition and intellectual engagement.

Various educational boards, including the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), emphasized the significance of the day. Many schools engaged creatively by organizing special reading sessions, book review competitions, storytelling events, and quizzes. This day also marks the beginning of the National Reading Month, a month-long initiative to foster reading practices more deeply.

Exam Insights & GK Analysis: National Reading Day is a significant current affairs topic for competitive exams. It is observed annually on June 19. The day commemorates Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker, who pioneered the Library Movement in Kerala. Panicker, the founder of the 'Kerala Grandhasala Sangham' (Kerala Library Association), played a pivotal role in establishing thousands of libraries across the state. The 'P.N. Panicker Foundation' was established in 1990. The Government of India declared June 19 as National Reading Day in 1996, making it an important fact for the general knowledge section.