National Reading Day is observed in India every year on 19 June to build a culture of reading and to promote literacy.
The day honours Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker (P.N. Panicker), a librarian and social reformer from Kerala who is regarded as the pioneer of the library and literacy movement in India. His efforts helped spread public libraries and reading habits across Kerala, and the day encourages people, especially students, to read more.