National Reading Day was observed across India on June 19 to promote the habit of reading and commemorate the contributions of Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker (PN Panicker), widely known as the Father of the Library and Literacy Movement in Kerala.
- The observance aims to instill reading culture among all age groups and encourage literacy through books and libraries.
- 19 June 2025 marks the observance of the 30th edition of National Reading Day.
Background:
i.The first “Vayanadinam” (Reading Day) was observed on 19th June 1996 by the Government of Kerala in association with the Thiruvananthapuram(Kerala) based PN Panicker Foundation, to mark the 1st annual remembrance of PN Panicker, who passed away on 19th June 1995.
ii.In 2017, during the 22nd National Reading Month celebrations, Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi declared 19th June as National Reading Day across India.
iii.The PN Panicker Foundation and PN Panicker Vigyan Vikas Kendra have been officially designated by NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) to oversee the Reading Day, Reading Week (19–25 June), and Reading Month (19 June–18 July) celebrations nationwide.
National Reading Week & Month:
i.Reading Week (19–25 June 2025): Observed annually from 19 to 25 June, Reading Week coincides with National Reading Day on 19 June. This week-long event, widely celebrated in Kerala, features activities by schools, libraries, and educational institutions aimed at encouraging and promoting reading habits.
ii.Reading Month (19 June – 18 July 2025):
After the week-long events, a month-long series of reading activities will continue, featuring reading pledges, digital read-alongs, quizzes, and community book discussions to encourage sustained interest and foster a culture of reading.
About PN Panicker:
i.PN Panicker was born on 1st March 1909 in Alappuzha district, Kerala. In 1926, he established the Sanadanadharmam Library at Neelamperoor, marking the start of the library movement.
ii.In 1945, he led the formation of the Thiruvithaamkoor Granthasala Sangham (Travancore Library Association) with 47 rural libraries, which later became Kerala Granthasala Sangham (KGS) following the formation of Kerala in 1956.
iii.KGS expanded to a network of over 6000 libraries across Kerala and received the Krupskaya Award from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1975.
iv.In 1977, following administrative changes, he founded the Kerala Association for Non-formal Education and Development (KANFED), which played a key role in initiating the Kerala State Literacy Mission.
v.The Department of Posts(DoP), Government of India(GoI), issued a commemorative postage stamp in his honour on 21st June 2004.
Point to Note:
i.Kerala became the first state in India to achieve universal literacy, setting a benchmark for literacy movements across India.
ii.Kottayam town, located in Kerala, became the first town in India to achieve 100% literacy in the year 1989, under the State’s pioneering literacy mission.
iii.In 2023, Kollam district in Kerala was officially declared as India’s first Constitution-literate district, recognising the efforts to educate citizens on the values and principles enshrined in the Constitution of India.
2025 Events:
i.On June 19, 2025, the official launch of the 30th National Reading Day celebration was held at Tagore Theatre, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) and was inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister (CM) Pinarayi Vijayan.
ii.The P.N. Panicker Foundation marked the occasion by organising around 1 lakh ‘Vaayanasadhas’ (collective reading sessions) across India to promote reading and literacy.
iii.This initiative will continue as a year-long campaign starting from Reading Day, aiming to revive reading habits through sessions conducted in schools, colleges, libraries, bus stops, markets, and other public spaces, with a strong emphasis on community participation and inclusive access to reading.
