National Reading Day 2023, Theme, History & Significance

National Reading Day 2023

Reading is a fundamental activity that serves various purposes, including relaxation, learning, concentration, and improving communication skills. The relevance of reading is all the more felt in this digital age where movies, audio etc have replaced the golden habit of reading. National Reading Day is dedicated to honouring the memory of P.N. Panicker, a visionary who strongly advocated for reading as a powerful tool for personal and societal development Here in this article we have covered all the details on National Reading Day 2023.

National Reading Day 2023: Date

The 19 June is celebrated as National Reading Day in India. The day is observed throughout India, where a number of activities and campaigns are run to promote the habbit of reading.

National Reading Day 2023: History

National Reading Day is celebrated as a tribute to the renowned Kerala teacher, Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker, who passed away on 19th June 1995. In recognition of his immense contributions, it was decided to commemorate this day as National Reading Day. The inaugural National Reading Day took place on 19th June 1996, organized by the P.N. Panicker Vigyan Vikas Kendra and P.N. Panicker Foundation.

P.N. Panicker is widely acknowledged as the father of the Library Movement in Kerala, owing to his significant efforts in establishing 47 libraries in 1946 under the Kerala Grandhasala Sangham (KGS), formerly known as the Thiruvithaamkoor Granthasala Sangham or the Travancore Library Association. In honor of his legacy, the Ministry of Education under the Government of India released a commemorative stamp on 21st June 2004 to pay homage to P.N. Panicker’s remarkable contributions to the promotion of reading and education.

National Reading Day 2023 Theme

The theme of National Reading Day 2023 is- “A Celebration of Literacy”. 

National Reading Day 2023 Significance

National Reading Day holds great significance as it aims to emphasize the importance of reading in our lives. It serves as a reminder of the benefits that reading brings, such as the development of reading skills, creativity, analytical thinking, vocabulary expansion, and enhanced concentration. In today’s digital age, where alternative forms of entertainment like mobile phones and television have gained popularity, the habit of reading has witnessed a decline.