National Reading Day in India 2024 is on June 19. This annual day encourages more people to take up reading as a hobby and honours the life and work of Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker, famously known as PN Panicker, who is widely regarded as the Father of India’s Library Movement. It was in 1996 when the country first started to observe the day as National Reading Day to pay tribute to the legend. On the celebration of National Reading Day 2024, we bring you the significance of this observance in our country.

National Reading Day 2024 Date

The observance of National Reading Day 2024 is on June 19. This annual commemoration is a tribute to the efforts taken by PN Panicker to transform society with his literacy movement in India. Known as the Father of Reading, PN Panicker passed away on June 19, 1995.

National Reading Day Significance

The celebration of National Reading Day is focused on encouraging more and more people to turn to reading and remember and celebrate the contributions made by PN Panicker to India’s literary habits. PN Panicker founded Sanatana Dharma Library, the centre of the library movement in Kerala. This has been instrumental in helping thousands of people access books and take up reading as a hobby.

The celebration of National Reading Day is just one of the ways that the life and work of PN Panicker is remembered. In addition to this, the government of Kerala also observes a reading week known as Vayana Varam from June 19 to 25 every year. Reading and the habit of visiting libraries was at the crux of helping more and more people in Kerala to have a better grasp on their language and learning skills and improve their literacy rates.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 18, 2024 08:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).