Bilal Bashir Bhat
Despite heavy rain and unpredictable weather, approximately 5,000 attendees, including students, artists, journalists, and book enthusiasts, gathered on the first day of the week-long national event, the ‘Chinar Book Festival,’ at SKICC. This event is jointly organized by the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) and the National Book Trust, India.
The Chinar Book Festival, which runs from August 17th to 25th, 2024, at SKICC, Srinagar, commenced with ceremonial lighting. The inaugural ceremony featured prominent figures such as Dr. Shams Eqbal, Director of NCPUL; Prof. Milind Marathe, Chairman of the National Book Trust, India; Director Yuraj Malik; Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar, Dr. Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat; Prof. Nilofar Khan, Vice-Chancellor of Kashmir University; Commissioner Secretary Sanjiv Verma; and ICHR Chairman Shri Raghwinder Tanwar.
The festival’s primary aim is to inspire young minds to embrace the rich culture of reading and explore the world through books. The Chinar Book Festival offers a variety of captivating activities, including literary sessions, book displays, and interactive events, all designed to reignite the joy of reading in an increasingly digital world.
One of the main attractions on the first day was a photo exhibition titled “Pioneering Women of Kashmir,” organized by the District Administration of Srinagar under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Dr. Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat. The exhibition, conceptualized by renowned journalist Brajesh Jha, highlighted the contributions of notable women in Kashmir’s history, including Lal Ded, Devi Roop Bhawani, Hafiza Khatija, Vakpushta, Rani Sugandha Devi, Bibi Hora, Didda Rani, and Habba Khatoon.
The NCPUL book stalls also saw a large turnout, with many visitors purchasing Urdu literature, a language that holds significant cultural importance in Kashmir. Over 200 book stalls lined the festival grounds, offering visitors the opportunity to explore a diverse range of literary works. Publishers from across the nation have gathered in Srinagar, contributing to the festival’s rich and varied offerings.
A major highlight of the festival is the participation of over 1,000 publishers representing languages such as Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri, Dogri, and English, with more than 200 book stalls available for visitors to explore.
The festival also features workshops on Creative Writing, Calligraphy, Storytelling, and Emotional Intelligence, providing attendees with practical skills and creative insights. In addition, interactive symposiums will cover topics such as Careers in Civil Services, Empathy Circles, and the Art of Conversation.
