The second edition of the Chinar Book Festival opened to an inspiring start on Saturday at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), with a resounding response from the people of Kashmir.
Enthusiastic readers, students, teachers, cultural leaders, and families thronged the venue in large numbers to participate in what is now emerging as Jammu & Kashmir’s leading literary and cultural celebration.
Organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), India, under the aegis of the Ministry of Education, Government of India, and supported by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, the Chinar Book Festival aims to nurture a robust reading culture, foster literary engagement, and reconnect communities with India’s rich intellectual and cultural traditions.
The festival was inaugurated by Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education in presence of J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha.
In his keynote address, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan underscored the transformative role of books and education in shaping contemporary literature and culture.
He noted that books not only preserve cultural memory but also shape the aspirations of a society.
The Minister urged the National Book Trust, India and the Jammu & Kashmir administration to establish the Chinar Book Festival as a permanent cultural fixture in the region.
Deeply appreciating the initiative to organise the Chinar Book Festival, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted the importance of reconnecting the younger generation with India’s
ancient intellectual, cultural, and scientific heritage.
Chairman NBT, Prof. Milind Marathe, in his welcome address, emphasized that the festival is a vibrant platform for connecting authors, publishers, and readers, to establish dialogue and knowledge together.
He reiterated NBT’s commitment to making books accessible in multiple Indian languages and supporting initiatives that promote lifelong reading to continue reading as a culture in our Indian society.
They key highlight of the day was launch of the Kashmiri translation of “Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh – Through the Ages”, published by NBT. A video presentation introduced the book, and the launch marked a significant step toward making regional history accessible to local readers in their mother tongue.
The Union Minister digitally announced the results for Amrit Kaal Mahotsav, a story writing competition for children organised by Rashtiya-e-Pustakalaya.
The first-ever National Exhibition on the Sharda Script was unveiled and it attracted considerable footfall, with the inaugural delegation taking a guided walkthrough of the curated panels.
The Children’s Corner was abuzz with colour and imagination. Budding artists participated in a drawing competition on the theme ‘Bharat in Space’, while traditional storytelling came alive through a delightful puppet show that captivated young and old alike.
The literary segment of the day included a thought-provoking discussion on the Sharda script and engaging sessions on Sufi traditions, organised by NCPUL and the Khusro Foundation, highlighting the evolving landscape of Indian literature and linguistic traditions.
The day ended on another high note with “Kala-e-Kashmir”, a spectacular cultural showcase of Kashmiri music, dance, and theatre, featuring performances by Waheed Jeelani.
The festival continues till August 10.