Mysore/Mysuru: The Department of Public Libraries and District Training Institute and Extension Training Centre, Mysuru, had organised online story-telling for children through Google Meet app on Friday to mark ‘Reading Day’ which is observed every year on June 19, the death anniversary of Father of India’s Library Movement P.M. Panicker.

Prof. B. Raveesh Kumar, Professor of Kannada, was the main speaker. Stating that recognising the rural library revolution in the State of Kerala that was led by P.M. Panicker, June 19 is being observed  Reading Day, he asked people to make use of the libraries as reading a book can change a person’s personality and provide peace of mind

One should read books and newspapers for at least 2-3 hours every day, he said urging parents to help children cultivate the habit of reading books right from their childhood. If parents sit in front of the children holding books, then children too will start reading books, he added.

Instead of toys, children should be gifted books of great achievers, he advised parents, adding that books should be kept available to children’s sight all the time as that would make them increase their reading habit. Students should not only stick on to text book but also cultivate the habit of reading other books, he said and told to keep themselves away from mobile phones.

On the occasion, the benefits of reading were explained through Upanishad and Panchatantra stories. Even the public and the children, who participated online, told moral stories they knew and promised to make it a habit to read daily newspapers, weekly and scholarly books as well as Indian epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata.

B. Manjunath, Deputy Director, Department of Public Libraries, K.V. Shivaramaiah, Principal, District Training Institute and N. Bharathi, a lecturer, were present.