Chinar Book Festival Has Become Movement for Youth Empowerment, Reading Culture: LG Sinha

Srinagar, Jul 18: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said the Chinar Book Festival has evolved into a movement dedicated to promoting reading, knowledge and youth empowerment in Jammu and Kashmir, helping transform the Union Territory into a hub of education, literature and creativity. Addressing the festival at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), Sinha said the event has grown beyond a conventional book exhibition into a national platform for ideas, dialogue and the exchange of knowledge. “Today, the Chinar Book Festival is not confined to book stalls and book launches. It has become a movement and a vibrant platform for thought, discussion and the exchange of knowledge. It is giving birth to new ideas, encouraging dialogue and strengthening our students and youth,” he said. The Lieutenant Governor said the festival reflects a collective commitment to making Jammu and Kashmir a leading centre of education, literature, culture and youth empowerment. Describing the Chinar tree as a symbol of Kashmir’s civilisation, culture and natural beauty, Sinha said the festival has emerged as an expression of the region’s intellectual and cultural identity. He added that literary discussions, workshops and interactive sessions organised during the event have infused fresh energy into the Union Territory’s literary traditions. Calling the festival a bridge connecting regions, languages and generations, Sinha said it embodies the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat by bringing together literature in multiple Indian languages, including Hindi, English, Urdu, Dogri, Kashmiri and Gojri. Referring to the nationwide programmes marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, the Lieutenant Governor said Jammu and Kashmir has consistently emerged among the country’s top-performing regions, with districts such as Kishtwar and Poonch securing top national rankings in different phases of the initiative. Highlighting the transformative power of literature, Sinha said books inspire people to think critically, question assumptions and become better human beings. “This land sends a message to our youth that no power is greater than the power of the pen,” he said. He urged young people to make books lifelong companions, read at least one book every month and cultivate the habit of writing regularly. The Lieutenant Governor also appreciated the National Book Trust for aligning the Chinar Book Festival with the objectives of the National Education Policy by promoting creativity, critical thinking and multilingual learning. Emphasising that the success of a literary festival should not be measured by book sales alone, Sinha said its real impact lies in the ideas it generates and the awareness it creates. “The success of a book festival should not be measured by the number of books sold, but by the conversations it gives birth to and the awareness it creates in society. If this festival changes the course of even one young person’s life through a book, it will be its greatest achievement,” he said. He also called for strengthening libraries, book clubs and year-round literary activities to foster a lasting culture of reading across Jammu and Kashmir.