Shri. P. N. Panikkar

Shri. P. N. Panikkar was a visionary pioneer and the driving force behind the Granthasala (library) movement in Kerala. An ardent advocate for the transformative power of reading, he traveled extensively across rural Kerala, spreading the importance of literacy and establishing a network that ultimately grew to encompass over 6,000 libraries. His work with the Kerala Granthasala Sangham (KGS) earned international recognition, culminating in the prestigious Krupskaya Award from UNESCO in 1975. Panikkar also played a pivotal role in launching Kerala’s historic mass literacy campaign. His contributions to promoting literacy are commemorated annually on his birthday, June 19, which is observed as Kerala’s Reading Day and India’s National Reading Day. The following month is celebrated as National Reading Month across the country in his honor.

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