From the first turn of a page to the final burst of applause, the Chinar Book Festival 2025 concluded not with a whisper but with a vibrant chorus of voices, colors, and music echoing through SKICC, Srinagar. The lawns, stalls, and halls overflowed with children clutching books and prizes, poets trading verses, dancers swirling in costumes, musicians playing their final notes, and curious minds exploring ideas ranging from ancient traditions to futuristic technology. The festival’s second edition closed on a day filled with celebration, gratitude, and the promise of many more chapters to come.
The Grand Finale of the Children’s Corner came alive with laughter, learning, and creativity. The morning kicked off with "Meet the Cheetah – Fun with Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya," where children and teachers explored the ReP app, engaged in quizzes, won goodies, and danced alongside the cheerful Cheetah mascot. In Write, Fold, Create! by Muskan Gupta, little hands penned heartfelt letters and crafted origami envelopes, rediscovering the joy of personal communication. The Open Mic for Students lit up the stage with Rouf dance, soulful songs, and a skit on the New Education Policy, with every participant proudly receiving a certificate. The finale session, Little Money Masters by Dr. Bilal Pandow, made finance fun through an interactive quiz teaching the difference between wants and needs, awarding NBT-India books and certificates as prizes. With music, art, stories, and smiles, the Children’s Corner wrapped up its exciting journey, leaving behind happy faces and cherished memories.
This year’s festival also marked a milestone for Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya (ReP). Five engaging events featuring the beloved mascot Cheetah brought children, teachers, and parents together to explore the app through quizzes, games, and storytelling. Two dedicated orientation sessions familiarised participants with the platform’s features, resulting in an estimated 2,000 additional downloads during the festival—highlighting its growing role in connecting readers nationwide with quality books and resources at their fingertips.
Panel discussions soared into the future with Drone, AI & Laser Technology, where experts Mr. Mahesh Kumar, Mr. Pranav Virmani, and Mr. Daksh Bhardwaj showcased how these tools are reshaping the world. This was followed by Role of Youth in Sustaining Environment, featuring passionate voices including Mr. Nadeem Qadiri, Ms. Jannat Tariq, Mr. Jagjit Singh, Dr. Touseef Ahmed, and Mr. Ayaan Saroori, moderated by Mr. Nasir Ali Khan. Through inspiring stories and bold visions, the panel challenged especially young people to move beyond hashtags and headlines and lead tangible action for climate resilience, conservation, and sustainable living. By the end, the room was charged not only with ideas but with the will to make them happen.
The final evening, Kala-e-Kashmir, blossomed into a living canvas of the Valley’s art, music, and storytelling traditions. The theatre group Act for Tomorrow opened the night with a powerful performance promoting education. The mellifluous Owais Pandit followed, his songs weaving through the audience like threads of memory. The Azad Dramatic Cultural Club brought the rich drama of Kashmiri life to the stage, while Team Heeposh lifted spirits with jubilant folk tunes that had hands clapping and feet tapping. Aaqib Assad then took the audience on a soulful journey through qawwali and Kashmiri folk, blending devotion and cultural pride. Noor Mohammad & Group deepened the atmosphere with harmonious ensemble singing, a tribute to the Valley’s enduring musical heritage. The evening reached its high point with Guldasta-e-Jammu and Kashmir, whose folk dances turned the stage into a whirl of colors, rhythm, and pure celebration.
Special recognition was extended to representatives from the District Administration, Srinagar, Directorate of School Education, JK Bank, Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, major universities—including the University of Kashmir, SKUAST, IUST, Central University of Kashmir, SKIMS Medical College, and Government Dental College—along with Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Smart City Srinagar, PIB, Doordarshan News, Red FM, SKICC, school principals, teachers, cultural institutions, civic bodies, and media members. Their unwavering support was instrumental in making the second edition of the festival a resounding success.
As the final notes faded into the night, the Chinar Book Festival stood not just as a literary gathering but as a cultural movement, breathing life into Kashmir’s creative spirit. It aligned seamlessly with the vision of the National Education Policy 2020 by fostering multilingualism, creativity, and holistic learning. Over ten days, it became a vibrant meeting ground for authors, artists, educators, students, and citizens—reminding all that literature and culture remain the heartbeat of a thriving society.
With the closing applause still ringing and the last chai cups emptied, anticipation for the next edition has already begun to grow. The Chinar Book Festival will return—bigger, brighter, and even more determined to tell the stories that matter, in the voices that must be heard.