Srinagar, Jul 25: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday flagged off the Reading Marathon at the banks of Dal Lake, marking a unique convergence of knowledge, fitness, and environmental responsibility, organised by the National Book Trust as part of Education Week to celebrate six successful years of the National Education Policy.
Addressing thousands of students from colleges and universities across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted the significance of the reading marathon as a symbol of collective learning and social responsibility. “Education should not remain confined to books and examination halls. It must reach playgrounds, social spaces, and become a way of life. Today’s Reading Marathon is a powerful example of that vision,” he said.
The reading marathon carried the message “Run for a Green Future”. The LG described this motto as a life philosophy, saying that both knowledge and environmental conservation require patience, discipline, and sustained collective effort. “Reading enriches our thoughts, running strengthens our bodies, and caring for nature awakens our conscience. Together, they prepare society to face future challenges,” he said.
Sinhaa urged young participants to take three important pledges: make reading a daily habit, adopt environmental conservation in everyday life, and transform the spirit of the marathon into a lifelong commitment to bring positive change in society. “Let the spirit of doing something good for society become a lifelong commitment. I believe that merely reading books is not enough. True education is to put what you have read into practice. Today you all have chosen the path of change, and that is the greatest success of the Chinar Book Festival,” he said.
On the eve of Vijay Diwas, the Lieutenant Governor invoked the courage of young soldiers who fought in the Kargil War, reminding the youth of Jammu and Kashmir that discipline, leadership, and a Nation First attitude can create new history.
“Most of the soldiers and officers who defended the country in the Kargil War were young people aged 20 to 25. The stories of heroes like Captain Vikram Batra, Manoj Kumar Pandey, and Captain Anuj Nayyar make young people realise that with the right direction and spirit, the youth can create new history. I want the Reading Marathon to spread the thinking of ‘Nation First,’ a ‘Never Give Up’ attitude, and the spirit of discipline and leadership, and to kindle the flame of national service in the heart of every youth in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by Chinar Book Festival Chief Convener Dr Amit Wanchoo, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd. CEO Dr Angelo George, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo, SSP Srinagar Dr G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, senior officials, members of the National Book Trust, heads of educational institutes, eminent literary personalities, teachers, and a large number of students.
