Sri Vijaya Puram, June 15: A week-long celebration of reading, creativity and learning came to a close at the State Library in Sri Vijaya Puram, where students from schools across the islands gathered for the valedictory and prize distribution ceremony of the Summer Book Fest 2026.
Organised by the Education Department, the festival brought together young readers, aspiring storytellers and creative minds through a diverse range of literary and educational activities aimed at promoting reading habits and lifelong learning.
The concluding ceremony was held in the Conference Hall of the State Library and marked the culmination of a programme that witnessed enthusiastic participation from more than 300 students from different schools. The event celebrated not only academic achievement but also the role of books and libraries in shaping young minds.
The chief guest for the occasion was Aditya Sangotra, Director (Education), who distributed prizes to winners of various competitions conducted during the festival.
Interacting with students, Aditya Sangotra shared an inspirational story highlighting how access to books and knowledge can transform lives and create opportunities for personal growth. He stressed that libraries serve as gateways to learning and self-development and encouraged students to cultivate reading as a regular habit.
He also advised students to reduce excessive dependence on mobile phones and devote more time to productive activities such as reading books, exploring libraries and engaging in meaningful educational pursuits.
The Summer Book Fest was designed to enhance vocabulary, communication skills, critical thinking, memory and general awareness through a combination of competitions and interactive learning experiences. Organisers said the event aimed to make learning enjoyable while fostering creativity, teamwork, confidence and healthy competition among participants.
Throughout the festival, students took part in a wide variety of activities catering to different age groups and interests. These included storytelling sessions, quizzes, treasure hunts, spell bee contests, drawing competitions, rhyme recitations, book-themed dumb charades and memory-based challenges.
According to organisers, the diverse format helped encourage participation from students with different talents and abilities while promoting reading and literary engagement beyond the classroom environment.
In her address, Archana Singh congratulated participants and winners, acknowledging the enthusiasm displayed by students throughout the event. She noted that the strong response reflected growing interest among young readers in literary and educational activities.
A report on the week’s programmes was presented by Anbarasan, who highlighted the successful conduct of multiple competitions and engagement initiatives over the course of the festival. He informed attendees that more than 300 students had participated in the two-phase programme.
One of the memorable moments of the ceremony came when Master Krithvik Vihaan from Mahatma Gandhi International School delivered a rhyme emphasizing the importance of libraries and equitable access to books. His performance drew appreciation from attendees and underscored the festival’s central theme of fostering a culture of reading.
Libraries continue to play a crucial role in supporting educational development by providing access to knowledge resources, promoting independent learning and encouraging intellectual curiosity. Educational experts increasingly stress the importance of maintaining reading habits in an era dominated by digital distractions.
Officials noted that events such as the Summer Book Fest help create opportunities for students to interact with books in engaging ways while strengthening their confidence and communication skills. Such initiatives also provide a platform for showcasing talent and encouraging peer learning.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Suresh J. Panicker, who acknowledged the support of participants, teachers, parents and Education Department officials in ensuring the success of the festival.
With another edition of the Summer Book Fest successfully completed, education authorities expressed hope that the enthusiasm generated during the week-long event would inspire more students to embrace reading, explore libraries and continue their journey of lifelong learning.
