National Reading Day 19June 2021

 

👉READING DAY PLEDGE LINK

👉National Reading Day June 2021 QUIZ

Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker (1 March 1909 – 19 June 1995) is known as the Father of the Library Movement in the Indian state of Kerala.^[1] The activities of the Kerala Grandhasala Sangham that he initiated triggered a popular cultural movement in Kerala which produced universal literacy in the state in the 1990s.

Panicker on a 2004 stamp of India

June 19, his death anniversary, has been observed in Kerala as Vayanadinam (Reading Day) since 1996.^[2] The Department of Education in Kerala also observes Vayana varam (Reading Week) for a week from June 19 to 25.^[2]

In 2017, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared June 19, Kerala's Reading Day, as National Reading Day in India.^[2] The following month is also observed as National Reading Month in India.^[2]

Early life of PN PanickerEdit

Childhood house of P. N. Panicker at Neelamperoor

Panicker was born in a Nair family on 1909 March 1 to Govinda Pillai and Janaky Amma at Neelamperoor, India.^[3] In 1926 he started the Sanadanadharmam Library as a teacher in his hometown.^[4] he was a teacher and his influence on society was much greater than many of his time.

ContributionsEdit

Panicker led the formation of Thiruvithaamkoor Granthasala Sangham (Travancore Library Association) in 1945 with 47 rural libraries. The slogan of the organization was 'Read and Grow'. Later on, with the formation of Kerala State in 1956, it became Kerala Granthasala Sangham (KGS). He traveled to the villages of Kerala proclaiming the value of reading. He succeeded in bringing some 6,000 libraries into this network. Grandhasala Sangham won the ‘Krupsakaya Award’ from UNESCO in 1975. Panicker was the General Secretary of Sangham for 32 years, until 1977, when it was taken over by the State Government. It became the Kerala State Library Council, with an in-built democratic structure and funding.

KANFEDEdit

GLPS Neelamperoor where P. N. Panicker worked for years

After his organization was taken over by the State, Panicker became subject to political interference. In 1977 he responded by founding the Kerala Association for Non-formal Education and Development (KANFED). KANFED was instrumental in starting the Kerala State Literacy Mission, which led Kerala to its universal literacy movement. Thus, Kerala became the first state which achieved universal literacy.

Panicker took a keen interest in promoting Agricultural Books Corners, The Friendship Village Movement (Sauhrudagramam), Reading Programmes for Families, Grants for Books and building libraries and Best Reader’s Award P.N. Panicker Foundation.

LegacyEdit

P. N. Panicker Memorial School at Ambalappuzha

Panicker died on 19 June 1995, at age 86.^[5] The Government of Kerala acknowledged his contributions and ordered that 19 June be observed, annually, as Vaayanadinam (READING DAY ) with a week-long series of activities at schools and public institutions to honor his contributions to the cause of literacy, education and library movement.

The Department of Posts honored Panicker by issuing a commemorative postage stamp on 21 June 2004.

His birth centenary was celebrated under the auspices of the P. N. Panicker Foundation in 2010.

Poem recitation & Writing Activity 

Book Mark Making

 

International Day of Yoga 2021

 International Day of Yoga 21 June 2021

International Day of Yoga Celebration in KV1 AFS SURATGARH 

International Yoga Day 2021 Date: Theme, History and Significance

(Representational Photo: Shutterstock)

International Yoga Day 2021 Date: This year’s theme for International Day of Yoga, which will be celebrated on June 21, is ‘Yoga for Well-being’

International Day of Yoga is observed globally, to highlight the importance of yoga in the contemporary era, every year on June 21. Back in December 2014, India’s Permanent Representative Ashok Mukherjee introduced the draft resolution regarding the same in the United General Assembly. The draft received tremendous support from the 177 member states and was adopted as a special day. The United Nations on December 11, 2014, proclaimed that June 21 will be marked as International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131.

Notably, International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21 as it is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere.

International Yoga Day 2021: Significance

Yoga is derived from Sanskrit and it means to join or to unite. Union of body and consciousness is known as Yoga as it helps to maintain a balanced lifestyle in these changing times. It was on June 15, 2015 – the first International Day of Yoga was globally observed.

On this day, India’s ministry of Ayush had organized a program which was attended by eminent dignitaries of around 84 nations along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A total of 35,985 people at Rajghat performed 21 yoga poses, making it the world’s largest yoga class.

On this day, India’s ministry of Ayush had organized a program which was attended by eminent dignitaries of around 84 nations along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A total of 35,985 people at Rajghat performed 21 yoga poses, making it the world’s largest yoga class.

Psycho-social care needs to be prioritised amid the pandemic time and yoga plays a vital role in it. When COVID-19 patients, who are in isolation and quarantine, faced psychological problems doctors held yoga sessions as it provides aid in mental stability. Therefore, ‘Yoga for Well-being’ is the correct theme for this year because it focuses on the holistic health of every individual, which is the need of the hour.

HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY

For International Yoga Day, people around the world are all set to take out their yoga mats and start exercising, but they might not be aware that yoga goes back centuries.
Yoga is considered to be an ancient practice that originated 5,000 years ago in India. Yoga was developed as a way to interconnect the mind, body and soul to step closer into enlightenment. As the practice became popular in the west, it became popularized as an exercise and relaxation method, with claims to help the body’s general well-being, alleviate physical injuries and chronic pain.

The idea of International Yoga Day was first proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 27, 2014, during his speech at the UN General Assembly, where a resolution to establish June 21 as International Yoga Day was introduced by India’s Ambassador, Asoke Kumar Mukerji.

The date of June 21 was chosen as it is the Summer Solstice, the day where there is the most sun out of every other day of the year. Overall, it received support from 177 nations, the highest number of co-sponsors for any UN resolution, proclaiming June 21 as the International Yoga Day.

On June 21, 2015, nearly 36,000 people, including Prime Minister Modi, and many other high-profile political figures from all around the world, performed 21 asanas (yoga postures) for 35 minutes in New Delhi in what was the first International Yoga Day, and the day has been celebrated around the globe ever since.