PN Panicker: On National Reading Day 2021, Here’re Little-Known Things About ‘The Father of the Library Movement’ Who Promoted Literacy in Kerala

Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker is popularly referred to as the Father of Library Movement as he helped the residents of Kerala to get entry to instructional materials simply by establishing libraries throughout the state. To promote literacy in Kerala, he had made important contributions, which lastly led to common literacy in ‘God’s personal nation’. He labored laborious and gave an awesome push to the Kerala State Literacy Mission. He virtually single-handily made Kerala the common literate state. Panicker reworked the literacy panorama in the state.

Why P.N. Panicker is Known as the Father of Library Movement?

PN Panicker was born to Govinda Pillai and Janaky Amma on March 1, 1901, at Neelamperoor, Kerala. When he grew up he turned a instructor. It is believed that as a instructor his affect on society was a lot greater than a number of in his time. The residents of Kerala imagine that his occupation as a instructor impressed him to boost consciousness about the significance of literacy amongst the lots of Kerala. As a instructor, he began Sanadanadharmam Library in his hometown.

Later, the success of his enterprise doubled when he initiated the formation of Thiruvithaamkoor Granthasala Sangham, generally referred to as the Travancore Library Association in the yr 1945. As many as 47 libraries throughout the rural areas in the metropolis have been half of the affiliation. The principal goal of the affiliation for organising these libraries was to focus on the significance of studying, examine and schooling in rural areas. ‘Read and Grow’ was the impactful slogan of the affiliation.

Under the group, Panicker was capable of arrange over 6,000 libraries throughout the state.  And thus, P.N. Panicker is called the Father of Library Movement in Kerala. Later, the affiliation was finally taken over by the state authorities, which is presently referred to as the Kerala State Library Council.

Know about Kerala Literacy Mission

P.N. Panicker’s library affiliation was taken over by the state authorities after the formation of Kerala state in 1956. However, until 1977, Panicker held the place of General Secretary of Sangham virtually for 32 years. During this time, to advertise the significance of studying and schooling, he travelled to varied underdeveloped areas and villages of Kerala.

Panicker was disillusioned by the political affect and thus, in 1977, he determined to type the Kerala Association for Non-Formal Education and Development (KANFED), which led to the begin of the Kerala Literacy Mission. And his mission helped Kerala to attain a 100% literacy charge and to turn out to be the first state in the nation to attain common literacy.

What is the Significance of National Reading Day?

The State authorities of Kerala introduced June 19 as Vaayanadinam or Reading Day to honour the legacy of P.N. Panicker as he handed away on June 19, 1995. Now, the whole nation celebrates National Reading Day on June 19. To honour PN Panicker’s contributions in the direction of the trigger of literacy, schooling and library motion, National Reading Day is well known by tens of millions of folks throughout the nation. This yr, National Reading Day shall be celebrated on June 19, Saturday.

(The above story first appeared on SociallyKeeda on Jun 19, 2021 08:00 AM IST. For extra information and updates on politics, world, sports activities, leisure and way of life, go surfing to our web site latestly.com).