Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 23 June 2025
The week-long Monsoon Book Reading Festival 2025 concluded on a high note with a vibrant valedictory and prize distribution ceremony held at the Conference Hall of the State Library, Sri Vijaya Puram. Organized by the Education Department, the festival celebrated the literary flair, creativity, and enthusiastic participation of young readers from across various schools in the islands.
Mr. Vikram Singh, Director (Education), graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and felicitated the winners of multiple competitions conducted during the festival. Engaging with students in a lively interaction, he posed questions related to the rich history and culture of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, sparking curiosity and active involvement from the audience.
In his address, Mr. Singh urged students to limit excessive use of mobile phones and instead devote more time to reading and exploring the treasures of the library. “Books open the doors to imagination, and imagination is the beginning of achievement. Let reading be your lifelong companion,” he remarked, encouraging students to cultivate a regular reading habit and stay intellectually curious.
Highlighting the accessibility of the State Library, he invited students to visit freely, noting that no membership is required to use its resources.
The ceremony began with a warm welcome address by Ms. Archana Singh, Deputy Director of Education (Planning) and Nodal Officer of the State Library. She lauded the dedication shown by students throughout the festival and emphasized the role of reading in shaping thoughtful, informed individuals.
A detailed report on the festival’s activities was presented by Mr. Sashi Kumar, In-Charge of the State Library. He shared that, under the guidance of the Director (Education), a diverse range of activities — including storytelling sessions, treasure hunts, quizzes, craft-making, story and slogan writing, and news reading — had been successfully organized. The event saw enthusiastic participation from more than 850 students representing different schools.
Sharing their experiences, Hem Shankar (Class X, VKV School, Lambaline) and Sana Shahid (Class VI, Vitala Public School) expressed that the festival served as a meaningful platform for young minds to grow in confidence and enhance their love for reading.
Parents too were present at the event, celebrating the achievements of their children. The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Suresh J. Panicker, Librarian, State Library, who acknowledged the efforts of educators, organizers, and students in making the festival a resounding success.
The Monsoon Book Reading Festival 2025 stood as a testament to the power of books in nurturing imagination, knowledge, and confidence among the youth of the islands.
