When Does the 2nd Edition of the 9-Day Chinar Book Festival Begin in J&K's Srinagar?

Srinagar, Aug 2 (NationPress) – The Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, officially launched the second edition of the exciting nine-day-long Chinar Book Festival in Srinagar, accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir's Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha.

While inaugurating the festival, Minister Pradhan emphasized, "Books in Kashmiri and other regional languages will soon find their way to every corner of India. Through literature and culture, we strive to connect hearts and empower minds. The Chinar Book Festival represents not just a literary gathering but a significant step towards civilizational awakening."

He expressed his pleasure, stating, "It is a celebration of the intellectual heritage of Jammu and Kashmir, and I commend everyone who has made the Chinar Book Festival a reality."

This year’s festival showcases over 200 publishers and bookstalls from various parts of the country.

The event, organized by the National Book Trust, runs from August 2-10 at the SKICC in Srinagar, situated alongside the scenic Dal Lake.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha expressed optimism that book lovers will flock to the festival and remarked, "I hope this festival evolves into a national-level event."

Organizers noted that following the enthusiastic response to last year's inaugural edition, this year's event promises an even grander celebration.

They added, "Expect a broader selection of books, diverse events, and the inclusion of new literary voices, all aimed at invigorating the reading culture in the region while providing a vibrant platform for dialogue, discovery, and community engagement."

The festival features over 200 publications with titles available in English, Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri, and other Indian languages.

"From bilingual children’s books and academic texts to regional literature and digital content, this fair offers a rich and inclusive selection for readers of all ages. This edition transcends a traditional book exhibition, positioning the festival as a hub for intellectual engagement, cultural dialogue, and educational growth," they stated.

Yuvraj Malik, Director of the National Book Trust, highlighted a special feature called Rajtarangini Samvad, which comprises workshops and panel discussions exploring the historical, literary, and cultural aspects of the classical Kashmiri text.

"The festival will present a national exhibition on the ancient Sharda script and the inaugural Gojri translation workshop, which aims to create bilingual books in Hindi, Urdu, Dogri, Kashmiri, and English, thereby promoting linguistic diversity and inclusion. A significant cultural highlight is the Tamil-Kashmiri Samvad under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative, focusing on shared cultural and spiritual traditions between the two regions," Malik elaborated.

"Every day, the event will feature three components: a children’s activities session in the morning, book launches and author interactions in the afternoon, and artistic showcases in the evening, where local artists will perform. Entry to the festival is free for all, with special discounts available on book purchases," Malik said.

The director of the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language, Shams Iqbal, remarked that the festival is a pioneering initiative that will enhance the promotion of book culture in Jammu and Kashmir and foster harmony and connection among various Indian languages.

The inauguration also included 'Saradaksarani' – the First National Exhibition of Sharada Alphabets, and the Kashmiri translation of the book titled 'Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh – through the ages'. The winners of the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya Amrit Kaal Story Writing Competition were also unveiled.

Prominent attendees included Milind Sudhakar Marathe, Chairman of the National Book Trust; Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir; Raghuvendra Tanwar, Chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR); Amit Wanchoo, Chief Convener of the Chinar Book Festival; and notable literary figures, book enthusiasts, youth, and children.