India celebrates the silver Jubilee or 25th year of National Reading Day on 19th June to honour P N Panicker. He is the founding father of Libraries as well as the Literacy Movement in Kerala, India. Keep reading to know more details on this topic along with more about P N Panicker.
This article will discuss National Reading Day in the context of the IAS Exam.
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There are other Important days and dates of national and international importance, integral from the UPSC prelims and other government exams.
What is National Reading Day?
The P N Panicker Vigyan Vikas Kendra and P N Panicker Foundation have been celebrating the reading day since 19th June 1996. They also observe a digital reading month and reading week nationally. The reason behind celebrating this day is to promote the reading culture and support literacy. Also, the Kerala Government named this day Vaayanadinam, which means “National Reading Day.”
The following stakeholders collaborate every year to observe this day:
- P.N. Panicker Foundation
- P.N. Panicker Vigyan Vikas Kendra
- The Government of India
- The Government of Kerala
- NITI Aayog
- The Ministry of Education
- The National Digital Library of India (NDLI)
- Other stakeholders
National Reading Day, 2021
The National Reading Day in India was the 25th edition, where numerous programs were organised. Some pivotal webinars among these occasions are as follows:
- Significance of reading
- Covid-19 awareness
- Intellectual property rights and digital library
- Green Economy
In addition, people also participated in a digital reading pledge. On top of that, there were many reading competitions arranged specially for school students, such as essay writing, quizzes, open art, etc.
Who Is P. N. Panicker?
Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker is the founder of the library movement. He was born on 1st March 1909 and breathed his last on 19th June 1995. People observe the National Reading Day on his death anniversary to pay tribute to his contribution to reading and literacy.
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P. N. Panicker and His Role in promoting Reading
- This man dedicated his life as a teacher and contributed much more than other contemporary teachers of his time. He knew that education was the only key to developing society. Therefore, he established Sanadanadharmam Library in his birthplace.
- However, it was just the beginning of his endeavours’ success, which gradually proliferated. He became the founder of Thiruvithaamkoor Granthasala Sangham or the modern-day Travancore Library Association in 1945. This association undertook almost 47 rural libraries with a slogan of reading, growing, and encapsulating the significance of reading in someone’s life.
- He travelled throughout the country to educate people about the value of reading. He successfully brought 6000 libraries within his network in his lifetime. Consequently, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) awarded his organisation the prestigious ‘Krupsakaya Award’ in 1975.
- He remained the general secretary of this association for 32 years. Nevertheless, the State government took over the Travancore Library Association in 1977 and renamed it Kerala State Library Council.
Influence of Panicker in Literacy Rate of Kerala
Panicker was disheartened with the political intervention after his Sangham turned into a state’s association. Consequently, he started the KANFED or Kerala Association for Non-formal Education and Development. It aimed to increase the state’s literacy rate and influenced the literacy mission. As a result, Panicker’s KANFED left its significant contribution to Kerala’s 100% universal literacy rate.
Important Information on National Reading Day
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 22nd national reading day and digital reading month celebrations in June 2017 on his visit to Kerala.
- He also appealed to promote “read and grow” to at least 300 million people over the nation by 15th August 2022.
- Lastly, he governed the P.N. Panicker Foundation to propagate digital reading and usage of digital technology in education in 2017.
Panicker understood that libraries act as gateways to education and knowledge and play a key role in developing society. They shape the fundamentals of the youth and create opportunities to come across new ideas and perspectives. Therefore, India celebrates National Reading Day to recognise his remarkable contribution to education.
Furthermore, candidates can learn more about the detailed UPSC Syllabus and exam pattern for the preliminary and mains phase of the examination at the linked article. Analysing the syllabus will help candidates accordingly schedule a study plan.
Aspirants who shall be appearing for the exam for the first time and are willing to get some preparation tips and study material for the competitive exams can turn to BYJU’S for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions about National Reading Day
What is the significance of National Reading Day?
People observe this day in India to honour Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker’s contribution to the promotion of education and the literacy movement.
Name any institution that organises National Reading Day every year.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is one of many institutions across India that observes the reading day on 19th June every year.
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