Basit Zargar/ Srinagar
The third edition of the nine-day Chinar Book Festival opened in Srinagar on Saturday with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurating the event and calling for a stronger reading culture among young people in Jammu and Kashmir.
On the inaugural day, many books including An Indian Muslim Speaks by noted scholar and public intellectual Dr. Hafeezur Rahman, who is also convenor of the Khusro Foundation, were released.
Khusro Foundation proudly celebrates the release of its latest publication, An Indian Muslim Speaks by @DrHafeezPasha at the inaugural session of the 3rd Chinar Book Festival 2026.
— Khusro Foundation ख़ुसरो फ़ाउण्डेशन خسرو فاؤنڈیشن (@Khusrofounda) July 18, 2026
The book was formally released by Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha, marking a… pic.twitter.com/CJvZ0vv4mL
Organised by the National Book Trust (NBT) in collaboration with the District Administration Srinagar and the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), the festival is being held at the Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) from July 18 to July 26.
Hundreds of students from schools and colleges across the Valley attended the inaugural ceremony, joining writers, publishers, academicians and book lovers for what has become one of Kashmir's biggest literary gatherings. Students explored book stalls, interacted with authors and participated in educational activities aimed at encouraging reading and creativity.
Addressing the gathering, Sinha described the festival as more than just a literary event, saying it was "a movement to build a vibrant community of readers, writers and thinkers." He said books inspire curiosity, critical thinking and imagination, and stressed that literature plays a vital role in shaping society and empowering youth.
Students of AGPS Pahalgam attended the most awaited Chinar Book Festival @skicc_official organised by @nbtindia @Khusrofounda @ChinarcorpsIA @NorthernComd_IA @diprjk @AnantnagDIPRC pic.twitter.com/RyBnEByon3
— AGPSPahalgam (@PahalgamAGPS) July 18, 2026
The Lieutenant Governor said the Chinar Book Festival had evolved into an important platform for exchanging ideas, promoting dialogue and nurturing young minds. He urged students to cultivate the habit of reading beyond their academic curriculum and encouraged aspiring writers to write regularly.
"The true success of a book festival lies not in the number of books sold but in the ideas and conversations it generates," Sinha said, adding that a single book has the potential to transform a young person's life.
More than 100 publishing houses from across the country are participating in the festival, showcasing books in English, Urdu, Hindi, Kashmiri and several other Indian languages. The event also features literary discussions, book launches, cultural programmes, storytelling sessions, poetry recitals, workshops and interactive events designed for children and young readers.
Visitors crowded the exhibition halls throughout the day, browsing thousands of titles ranging from fiction and history to science, children's literature and competitive examination material. Many students said the festival provided a rare opportunity to access a wide range of books and meet prominent authors and publishers under one roof.
During his visit, Sinha toured various book stalls, interacted with exhibitors and released several publications in different languages. He also suggested organising a similar large-scale book festival in Jammu to further promote literary culture across the Union Territory.
Organisers said the festival aims to revive the culture of reading while providing a platform for meaningful discussions on literature, education and culture. Special sessions focusing on regional languages, including Kashmiri and the revival of the Sharada script, have also been planned during the nine-day event.
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The festival is expected to attract thousands of visitors over the coming days, with students, teachers, researchers and families participating in a series of literary and cultural programmes celebrating books, knowledge and learning.
