For Book Lovers

One of the primary reasons book festivals remain important is that they promote a culture of reading. In an era where screens dominate our lives, festivals encourage people to engage with physical books, explore new authors and genres, and develop a deeper appreciation for the written word. To promote the culture of reading, SKICC is all set to host the Chinar Book Festival from August 17 to 25. The event is being organised through the collaborative efforts of the National Book Trust, India (Ministry of Education, Govt. of India) and the District Administration Srinagar. This festival will help in nurturing the ‘vanishing’ culture of reading, particularly among children. Inculcating reading habits in children has become a pressing need in today’s fast-paced digital age, where distractions are many and sustained attention to books is increasingly rare. Book festivals provide a unique and vital opportunity for young minds to engage with literature, discover the joy of reading, and broaden their intellectual horizons. It is crucial that schools actively participate in this initiative by bringing students to the festival. Making such visits a regular affair will not only expose children to a wide array of books but also inspire a lifelong love for reading. The nine-day book fair, to be held against the backdrop of Dal Lake, will feature more than 200 stalls offering books in various languages, including English, Urdu, Kashmiri, Hindi, Dogri, and other Indian languages. Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat noted that it is the first of its kind in Srinagar in a long time. He encouraged the people to ‘seize this opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of books, literature, art, and culture’. During the book fair, programs will be organized in three parts, including creative writing workshops for children, career-oriented workshops for the youth, and literary discussions with prominent authors and scholars. Such literary discourse can ignite a passion for reading among attendees, especially children, and reinforce the importance of books in their lives. With over 50,000 children already registered, the event promises to be a success. To facilitate access, five free buses will run from Ghantaghar to SKICC. Yuvraj Malik, Director of the National Book Trust, India, said the festival is ‘by the people of the Valley and for the people of the Valley’. The festival will host over 1,000 private publishers alongside participants such as Sahitya Akademi, NCERT, and others, offering a diverse collection of books, including fiction, non-fiction, classics, mythology, biography, and poetry. The literary discourse at Chinar Talks will feature discussions on topics such as Kashmir in films and literature, poetry, and the region’s rich heritage in performing arts by eminent scholars and artists. Cultural performances will also be a highlight, with live ghazal, mushaira, and band performances enriching the festival experience. While the inclusion of artists and cultural performances adds a vibrant touch to the festival, the organizers should prioritize inviting reputed writers and ensuring that more discussions focus on books and literature.