NAMSAI/NARI KOYU : The valedictory function of the National Reading Month campaign was held at the District Library here on Saturday, with speakers highlighting the importance of reading in nurturing knowledge, character and lifelong learning. The programme began with a floral tribute to the portrait of PN Panicker, regarded as the Father of the Library Movement in India. Welcoming the gathering, Namsai Deputy Commissioner CR Khampa highlighted the literary activities conducted during the month-long campaign and congratulated the winners of various competitions and meritorious students. He said such initiatives help create an environment where knowledge and intellect can flourish. District Planning Officer Dr K Sharma, in his motivational address, emphasised the importance of time management and its role in personal growth and success. A major attraction of the programme was an interactive storytelling and poetry recitation session by Padma Shri awardee Satyanarayanan Mundayoor, popularly known as “Uncle Moosa”, and his team from the Bamboosa Library under the Lohit Library Movement. Stressing the need to cultivate reading habits among children, he said, “If the child cannot reach the book, the book must reach the children.” Retired Indian Administrative Service officer Tape Bagra paid tribute to P.N. Panicker and underscored the values of education, perseverance and discipline. He urged students to cultivate the habit of reading, writing and meaningful discussion while channelising their energy towards constructive pursuits. Addressing the gathering, chief guest Chow Sujana Namchoom appreciated the enthusiastic participation of students from across the district. He said such programmes help build character and personality and encouraged students to make full use of the facilities available at the District Library. Winners of the district-level literary competitions organised as part of the National Reading Month celebrations were felicitated during the programme. The competitions included story writing, essay writing and quiz contests in the senior category, and storytelling and drawing competitions in the junior category. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Namsai Additional Deputy Commissioner NK Namchoom, who thanked the Padma Shri awardee and his team for inspiring students to embrace reading as a lifelong habit. (DIPR) Meanwhile in Lower Siang district, the month-long National Reading Month 2026 campaign concluded with inter-school literary competitions and prize distribution ceremonies held in the Nari and Koyu administrative circles. The campaign, launched on June 19 at Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS), Nari, began with a National Library Awareness Programme attended by Padma Shri awardee Sathyanarayanan Mundayoor, popularly known as “Uncle Moosa.” It was organised by the North East Foundation for Health Education and Livelihood Skills (NE-HEALS) with the support of the Nari sub-divisional administration to promote reading habits, strengthen library culture and encourage lifelong learning among students. During the month-long campaign, schools across the two administrative circles organised reading sessions, library orientation programmes, essay and short story writing, poetry, quiz competitions, extempore speeches, dramatic presentations and other literary activities aimed at enhancing students’ reading, communication and creative skills. The concluding programme at GHSS, Nari, featured inter-school essay writing and extempore speech competitions involving students from GHSS, Nari, GHSS Telam and other educational institutions. Addressing the valedictory function, chief guest Marge Sora, an Arunachal Pradesh Civil Service (APCS) officer and alumnus of GHSS, Nari, urged students to cultivate reading as a lifelong habit and described books as essential companions for learning, personal growth and leadership. A parallel valedictory programme was also held at Koyu, where Assistant Commissioner Dr Marngam Kakki encouraged students to continue reading beyond the campaign, saying strong reading habits form the foundation of academic excellence, informed citizenship and professional success. Winners of various intra-school and inter-school competitions held during the campaign were felicitated in both junior and senior categories. They received books, certificates, cash awards and other prizes in recognition of their performances. GHSS, Nari Principal-in-Charge Tater Gadi thanked NE-HEALS and the district administration for organising the campaign, describing it as the first initiative of its kind in Lower Siang district. He said the programme had helped foster a vibrant reading culture among students. Teachers, students, School Management Committee members, volunteers and community members actively participated throughout the campaign.
