LG Sinha Calls Chinar Book Festival a Movement for Knowledge, Urges Youth to Embrace Reading and Creativity
Srinagar, July 18: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday attended the third edition of the Chinar Book Festival in Srinagar, describing the literary event as a transformative movement aimed at fostering a vibrant community of readers, writers and thinkers, while reaffirming the administration's commitment to making Jammu and Kashmir a national hub of knowledge, culture and creativity.
Congratulating the National Book Trust (NBT) and the organisers for successfully hosting the festival, the Lieutenant Governor said the event had evolved into a significant intellectual platform promoting literature, dialogue and cultural exchange across the Union Territory.
Addressing the gathering, Sinha said the Chinar Book Festival was far more than a literary event, adding that it represented a collective effort to encourage reading habits, nurture creative thinking and strengthen the region's rich literary traditions.
He expressed hope that the festival would inspire young people to cultivate the habit of reading every day, preserve endangered languages and use literature as a medium to promote diversity, mutual respect and cultural understanding.
Highlighting the enduring value of books, the Lieutenant Governor said literature encourages critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions and inspires personal growth. He noted that book festivals create an inclusive environment where literature becomes accessible, meaningful and engaging for readers of all ages.
Sinha observed that within a short span, the Chinar Book Festival had emerged as a unique celebration of ideas and evolved into a vibrant intellectual movement in Jammu and Kashmir. He said writers and thinkers, much like the iconic Chinar tree, symbolize resilience, wisdom and endurance, guiding society through generations.
Calling for collective efforts to restore Jammu and Kashmir's historic stature as a centre of education and literature, the Lieutenant Governor said empowering youth through knowledge and creativity remained a shared responsibility.
He further said the festival had established itself as a national platform for the exchange of ideas, debates and intellectual discourse, extending well beyond book exhibitions and publication launches. Workshops, panel discussions and literary interactions organised during previous editions, he said, had infused fresh energy into the region's literary landscape.
Sinha also lauded initiatives undertaken during the festival to revive the ancient Sharada script and promote cultural integration through programmes such as Tamil-Kashmiri literary dialogues, describing them as a reflection of the spirit of "Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat."
Emphasising that the success of a book festival should not be judged by book sales alone, the Lieutenant Governor said its real achievement lies in the quality of ideas, discussions and collaborations it inspires. He noted that the festival would be truly successful if its conversations reached educational institutions, encouraged meaningful partnerships and helped transform the lives of young readers.
Urging the youth to develop stronger reading habits, Sinha appealed to students to read at least one book beyond their academic curriculum every month and encouraged aspiring writers to commit to writing at least one page every day.
He said the Chinar Book Festival was helping children remain connected to their cultural roots while equipping them with the confidence and knowledge needed for the future. He also envisioned the festival expanding its outreach by connecting with local libraries and small-town book clubs, ensuring that the spirit of literature and knowledge continued throughout the year.
During his visit, the Lieutenant Governor toured various book stalls, interacted with exhibitors and released several publications in different languages. He also directed the organisers to explore the possibility of organising a similar book festival in Jammu.
Among those present were Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo; National Book Trust Chairman Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe; Commissioner Secretary, School Education and Higher Education, Ram Niwas Sharma; National Book Trust Director Yuvraj Malik; Chief Convener of the Chinar Book Festival Dr. Amit Wanchoo; Director, National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language, Dr. Md. Shams Equbal; J&K Waqf Board Chairperson Dr. Syed Darakhshan Andrabi; SKUAST-Kashmir Vice Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai; Principal Secretary, Culture, Brij Mohan Sharma; Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo; SSP Srinagar Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, besides eminent literary personalities, educators, students and book lovers.
