NARI, 19 Jun: The National Reading Month was launched during a national library awareness programme here in Lower Siang district on Friday on the occasion of the National Reading Day.

The event was organised by the North East Foundation for Health Education and Livelihood Skills (NE-HEALS), with support and guidance from the Nari subdivisional administration, aiming to promote a culture of reading, strengthen library usage among students, and encourage lifelong learning through books and knowledge resources.

On the occasion, NE-HEALS and partnering organisations announced a month-long series of literary activities to be held during the National Reading Month, aimed at improving students’ reading skills, creative thinking, and leadership.

Activities will include reading, story-writing and poetry competitions, dramatic presentations, creative writing workshops, and library orientation sessions.

Students who participate in the intra-school and inter-school literary events will be felicitated on 19 July.

Padma Shri awardee Sathyanarayanan Mundayoor (popularly known as Uncle Moosa) in his address emphasised the transformative power of reading in shaping character, broadening perspectives, and nurturing responsible citizens. He urged students to adopt a daily reading habit, and to utilise libraries as centres of learning and personal growth.

Namsai District Librarian Saumyen Mukhopadhyay highlighted the vital role of libraries in supporting education. He encouraged students to visit libraries regularly to cultivate knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Nari Circle Officer Tage Asha stressed the importance of reading for academic success and personality development. She urged students to make full use of available library resources and become active readers.

Alumnus of Nari Higher Secondary School, Marge Sora, shared his personal experiences and motivated students to embrace reading as a tool for self-improvement and future success.

All participating students took a ‘reading oath’, pledging to read regularly and promote the habit among peers.

Volunteers from Uncle Moosa’s team presented dramatic storytelling, poem recitations, and other literary performances that engaged and inspired the audience.

Over 200 students, teachers, and community members took part in the programme, marking a meaningful start to the reading campaign in the region.