National Reading Day 2022

National Reading Day

Every year, June 19 is celebrated as the National Reading Day in honour of Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker (PN Panicker), who is considered as the Father of Library and Literacy Movement in Kerala. On this occasion author-politician-and former diplomat Shashi Tharoor, who is known for his impeccable vocabulary, shared a new word with his followers on social media.

"For old-fashioned book lovers on #ReadingDay: an archaic term you can surprise people with! Perlegate (PER-le-gayt) to read through. Usage: “the tedium of having to perlegate the entire text of that long novel"! (As long as you don’t say it about any of mine…)," read Shashi Tharoor's tweet on June 19.

For old-fashioned book lovers on #ReadingDay: an archaic term you can surprise people with! perlegate (PER-le-gayt) to read through Usage: “the tedium of having to perlegate the entire text of that long novel"! (As long as you don’t say it about any of mine…) pic.twitter.com/vwtbS6LYli

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 19, 2022

1. Why is PN Panicker called the Father of Library and Literacy Movement in Kerala?
   For those who don't know, PN Panicker started 47 local libraries in Kerala, India to promote the habit of reading among people. It was done under the the Travancore Library Association, which was established in 1945. later in 1956, it was later renamed to Kerala Gran Sasara Sangam (KGS). A commemorative stamp was also issued in 2004 in honour of PN Panicker for his immense contribution to the society.
2. When was Reading Day started?
   
   Reading Day was started on June 19, 1996, by the Kerala Government along with the PN Panicker Foundation. Over the years, the National Reading Day soon became a movement to celebrate and promote reading and literacy. The day also marks the beginning of the Digital Reading celebrations, which goes on for a month