Nine-day Chinar Book Festival opens at SKICC Srinagar

Students, educators, readers, writers, and families stand invited to come and enjoy a rich mix of books, culture, and creative expression at the festival.

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, AUGUST 01 (STC): The Chinar Book Festival made a grand return to Srinagar today. The nine-day festival, organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), India (Ministry of Education), in collaboration with the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), opened at the scenic lawns of SKICC. Notably, the Srinagar District Administration is also among the organisers.
After the huge success of its first edition in 2024, this year’s festival has expanded significantly. Over 130 publishers and booksellers from across India are participating, offering a wide variety of books in multiple Indian languages and dialects. The collection includes children’s books, academic works, regional literature, and digital content to suit readers of all age groups.
Speaking at the event, NBT Chairman Milind Sudhakar Marathe said, “The Chinar Book Festival is about more than books—it’s about bringing people together through language, literature, and shared stories.” NBT Director Yuvraj Malik added, “This year’s edition is designed to reach more people, especially young readers, and help build a strong reading culture in Jammu & Kashmir.”
Key features of the festival include a National Seminar on Multilingualism and Literary Traditions in Jammu & Kashmir, focusing on the region’s literary and cultural heritage. A unique Gojri Translation Workshop and a special exhibition on the ancient Sharda script are also part of the programme. Additionally, the Tamli-Kashmiri Sammvad, under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative, will highlight shared traditions between different regions of India.
The event also offers a wide range of engaging activities: creative writing and illustration workshops, calligraphy demonstrations, storytelling sessions, laughter therapy, and author interactions. A digital library zone, Rashtriya-e-Pustakalaya, gives free access to thousands of e-books in multiple languages and genres.
As a special gesture, copies of Exam Warriors, authored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will be distributed to students participating in Children’s Corner activities.
Cultural evenings during the festival will feature live performances such as folk music, Mushaira, Chakri, Bhand Pather, and theatre, adding to the vibrant and inclusive atmosphere.
Shams Iqbal, Director of NCPUL, called the festival a “historic step towards promoting book culture and harmony among India’s many languages.” Chief Convener Amit Wanchoo said, “This festival is more than a literary event—it reflects the spirit of learning and cultural pride in Kashmir.”
Prominent scholars, educators, poets, and artists from across India are attending the festival. Notable names include Shakeel Romshoo, Taslim Wani, Neelofer Khani, Waheed Jeelani, Abha Hanjura, and many others. In addition, audiobook libraries and mobile book vans have been introduced to promote reading across districts.
Students from various institutions like SKIMS Medical College, Government Dental College Srinagar, NIT, NIFT, and IMFA are also showcasing their talents during the extended nine-day celebration.
(STC)