Srinagar, July 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday flagged off the first-ever ‘Reading Marathon’ in Srinagar, an initiative aimed at promoting reading habits, fitness and environmental awareness among youth.
The event was held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) on the banks of Dal Lake and saw participation from hundreds of students from colleges and universities across Jammu and Kashmir. Participants carried placards with messages including “Say No To Drugs, Say Yes To Books”.
The Reading Marathon was organised by the National Book Trust (NBT) India in collaboration with the District Administration Srinagar under the Chinar Book Festival.
Sharing his message on X, Sinha said the event represented a celebration of knowledge, fitness and responsibility towards nature. He said thousands of young readers and runners participated in the initiative, organised as part of the Education Week marking six years of the National Education Policy.
“The Reading Marathon shows that education must go beyond classrooms,” Sinha said, adding that the theme “Run for a Green Future” highlighted the need for sustained efforts towards environmental protection.
The Lieutenant Governor urged participants to adopt three commitments — making reading a daily habit, contributing to environmental conservation and working towards positive social change.
The initiative seeks to encourage lifelong learning, strengthen reading culture and create greater awareness about environmental responsibility among schoolchildren and youth in the Valley.
The event was also part of broader efforts to connect education with community participation by encouraging young people to engage with books while promoting health and ecological consciousness.
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