Last Updated:June 19, 2025, 07:20 IST
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:The Day focuses on the importance of books for the holistic development of humanity. (AI generated image)
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.
National Reading Day: History
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: Importance
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.
Bhaswati Sengupta is a Sub-Editor at News18, where she works closely with the Web Stories and Photo Gallery team to create visually engaging and impactful digital content. She also contributes to Lifestyle sect…Read More
Bhaswati Sengupta is a Sub-Editor at News18, where she works closely with the Web Stories and Photo Gallery team to create visually engaging and impactful digital content. She also contributes to Lifestyle sect… Read More
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