Srinagar, July 19: Grey skies and steady rain failed to dampen the enthusiasm of visitors as the Chinar Book Festival witnessed a huge turnout on its second day at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), Srinagar. Families, students, teachers and book lovers thronged the venue, where literary discussions, children's workshops and cultural performances kept the festival vibrant throughout the day.

The literary programme opened with a panel discussion titled "Beyond the Headlines: Journalism as Storytelling", featuring senior journalists Sanjeev Gupta (Dainik Jagran), Naresh Kaushik (PTI), Prashant Asthana (Navbharat Times) and Nayanika Sengupta (Hindustan Times). Moderated by Javaid Malik, the session explored the changing landscape of journalism, the impact of digital media and social platforms, and the importance of ethical and fact-based reporting.
Students from several schools and colleges actively interacted with the panelists, raising questions on journalism careers, newsroom ethics and the future of media. The speakers encouraged aspiring journalists to cultivate curiosity, integrity and a commitment to truth.
Another engaging session, "Urdu, Kashmiriat and the Rich Tapestry of Shared Cultural Tradition," brought together noted scholar Prof. Mufti Mudassir Farooqui and educationist Asiya Qadir. Moderated by Dr. Hafeezur Rahman of the Khusro Foundation, New Delhi, the discussion highlighted Kashmir's composite culture, the legacy of the Rishi-Sufi tradition and the role of languages in strengthening social harmony.
More than 4,000 students from schools, colleges and universities across Srinagar and adjoining districts participated in the day's activities. The Children's Corner attracted over 2,500 young participants, who enjoyed paper craft, book cover design and English calligraphy workshops. Students were also introduced to the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, the Ministry of Education's digital library offering free access to over 7,000 e-books in 23 languages.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, Raja Art and Culture, Dilshad Cultural Forum, Kalidas Theatre Group and Pompoush Folk Theatre presented traditional Kashmiri folk performances. The evening concluded with soulful musical performances by Dr. Shazia Hameed, Rashida Akhter and Abid Ali.
The festival will continue on Monday with a major attraction—an interactive session with astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, along with a packed schedule of literary discussions, children's activities and cultural programmes. The Chinar Book Festival will continue at SKICC till July 26.