Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday, 25 July flagged off the first-ever Reading Marathon at the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar, marking a convergence of literacy promotion, physical activity, and environmental awareness. The event, held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), was organised by the National Book Trust (NBT) India in collaboration with the District Administration Srinagar under the banner of the Chinar Book Festival.

What Happened at the Event

Hundreds of young participants from colleges and universities across Jammu and Kashmir took part in the marathon, carrying placards bearing the message 'Say No To Drugs, Say Yes To Books'. The run operated under the motto 'Run for a Green Future', weaving together the themes of academic discipline and environmental stewardship.

The Reading Marathon forms part of the broader Education Week calendar, which this year also marks six years of the National Education Policy (NEP). Officials described Saturday's event as a milestone in taking education beyond the confines of the classroom.

What L-G Sinha Said

In a post on X, Lieutenant Governor Sinha said the event brought together 'thousands of young readers and runners from colleges and universities of Jammu and Kashmir' for what he called an inspiring occasion. He urged every participant to commit to three resolutions: making reading a daily habit, dedicating themselves to environmental conservation, and working toward positive change in society.

Sinha added that the Reading Marathon 'shows that education must go beyond classrooms' and that 'just as knowledge requires discipline, protecting mother nature demands sustained effort.'

Objective and Significance

The primary aim of the Reading Marathon is to foster reading habits, lifelong learning, and environmental consciousness among schoolchildren and youth across the Kashmir Valley. The NBT, a body under the Union Ministry of Education, has been expanding its outreach through the Chinar Book Festival — a platform designed to bring literature and learning to the region's youth in an accessible, community-driven format.

Notably, the concept of a reading marathon has global precedents, from university-led 24-hour public read-alouds to digital literacy campaigns backed by organisations such as the British Council. Saturday's Srinagar edition adapts this tradition to local priorities — drug prevention, green awareness, and the NEP's vision of holistic education.

Broader Context

The event arrives at a time when Jammu and Kashmir's administration has placed increased emphasis on youth engagement through cultural and educational programming. The Chinar Book Festival has emerged as one of the flagship initiatives in that direction, drawing participation from institutions across the Union Territory. With the Reading Marathon now added to its roster, the festival signals an intent to blend intellectual and civic goals into a single public experience.

Whether Saturday's debut translates into a sustained annual tradition will depend on institutional follow-through — but the scale of participation on day one suggests strong grassroots appetite among the Valley's student community.