LG Manoj Sinha Inaugurates 3rd Chinar Book Festival in Kashmir, Calls Literature the Strongest Bridge Between Minds and Nations

Srinagar, Saturday, July 18: Beneath the sprawling canopy of Kashmir’s legendary Chinar trees, where history whispers through every crimson leaf, a new chapter in the Valley’s literary journey began on Saturday. The serene campus of the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) came alive with readers, writers, scholars, students, and cultural enthusiasts as Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the third edition of the Chinar Book Festival, a nine-day celebration of books, ideas, and the enduring power of knowledge.

Organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), India, the festival, running from July 18 to July 26, is far more than a book fair. It is a meeting point of cultures, languages, generations and ideas, reaffirming Kashmir’s timeless place in India’s literary and intellectual landscape.

The inaugural ceremony commenced at 11:30 a.m. with the arrival of the Lieutenant Governor at SKICC, followed by the National Anthem and National Song. The occasion reflected the warmth of Kashmiri hospitality as dignitaries were felicitated with traditional shawls and books. A specially curated video presentation traced the remarkable journey of the Chinar Book Festival and its growing role in fostering a vibrant reading culture across the region. Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai was honoured

Delivering the welcome address, Dr. Amit Wanchoo, Chief Convener of the Chinar Book Festival, spoke passionately about nurturing a culture of reading in Jammu and Kashmir and described the festival as a platform where literature becomes a catalyst for learning, dialogue and social progress.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe, Chairman of the National Book Trust, reaffirmed NBT’s commitment to making quality literature accessible across India’s linguistic and cultural diversity. He emphasised that books possess the unique power to connect people across regions, generations and traditions, strengthening the nation’s intellectual fabric.

One of the most memorable moments of the inaugural session came with the release of several landmark publications by the National Book Trust. These included new editions of the historic Rajtarangini, 24 bilingual Gojri titles, the Urdu edition of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh: Through the Ages – A Visual Narrative of Continuities and Linkages, and An Indian Muslim Speaks by noted scholar and public intellectual Dr. Hafeezur Rahman, and many others.

The release of An Indian Muslim Speaks attracted particular attention for its thoughtful exploration of identity, citizenship, faith, education and nationhood, themes that continue to inspire meaningful public discourse in contemporary India.

Delivering his observations during the inaugural session, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha described the Chinar Book Festival as a powerful platform for intellectual growth, cultural harmony and national integration. He emphasised that literature transcends barriers of language, geography and ideology, encouraging informed citizenship while nurturing compassion, understanding and unity. He observed that books preserve civilisation, inspire innovation and empower future generations to become thoughtful citizens capable of shaping a stronger and more inclusive India.

The inaugural programme concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks by Shri Yuvraj Malik, Director, National Book Trust, who expressed gratitude to the authors, publishers, artists, government departments, educational institutions and countless volunteers whose collective efforts have transformed the Chinar Book Festival into one of India’s most significant literary gatherings.

“The festival will bring together readers, writers, publishers and artists from across the country for nine days of literature, dialogue and cultural celebration,” Malik said, encapsulating the spirit of the festival.

Following the conclusion of the formal proceedings with the Vande Mataram and the National Anthem, the Lieutenant Governor visited the expansive book fair, interacting with publishers, authors and exhibitors while exploring the diverse collection of books on display before departing the venue.

This year’s Chinar Book Festival features more than 200 publishers showcasing thousands of titles in English, Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri, Gojri and several other Indian languages. Visitors can look forward to author interactions, literary discussions, storytelling sessions, workshops, cultural performances, dedicated activities for children, access to the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, and the inaugural 5K Reading Run under the inspiring theme “Together We Read, Together We Lead.”

Adding to the festival’s inclusive spirit, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo has announced free public entry throughout the nine-day event, ensuring that readers, students and families from every walk of life can participate in this celebration of knowledge.

Running until July 26, the Chinar Book Festival seeks to strengthen the literary ecosystem of Jammu and Kashmir while celebrating the timeless symbolism of the Chinar tree, an enduring emblem of resilience, wisdom and cultural heritage. As thousands of readers gather beneath its shade over the coming days, the festival promises to celebrate not only books, but also the enduring belief that literature remains one of humanity’s greatest bridges between minds, communities and nations

As the pages continue to turn beneath the timeless Chinars of Srinagar, the festival stands as more than a celebration of books. It is a celebration of dialogue over division, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. In a land renowned for its poets, philosophers and storytellers, the Chinar Book Festival reaffirms that ideas remain humanity’s greatest inheritance and literature its most enduring bridge.

With thousands of readers, writers, publishers and young minds expected to gather over the next nine days, the festival promises to inspire fresh conversations, preserve the Valley’s rich literary heritage, and nurture a new generation of thinkers and dreamers. As Kashmir writes another chapter in its remarkable cultural journey, the Chinar Book Festival reminds us that every great transformation begins with a single idea, a single story, and a single page turned.