Greet with a book not with a bouquet

PM Modi says knowledge should not be limited to literacy

​Kochi: Shortly after inaugurating the Kochi Metro rail service on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a gathering at the launch of PN Panicker National Reading Day saying that people should give each other a book instead of a bouquet as greeting.

“I appeal to people to give a book instead of bouquet as a greeting. Such a move can make a big difference,” said Modi.

The Prime Minister said Kerala had been an inspiration to the whole country in terms of literacy. “There can be no joy greater than reading and no strength greater than knowledge,” he added. “I admire the work of people like late Panicker and his foundation.

Panicker was also the driving spirit behind the library network in Kerala,” the PM said. He said knowledge should not be limited to literacy and that the real goal was to bring in social and economic changes.

Modi said the Panicker foundation of good knowledge will be followed by a super structure of a better society. "The real goal should be for bringing in social and economic growth," he said.

Stressing the need for digital literacy, Modi said, "I am happy to see that the foundation is now focusing on digital literacy and this is the need of the hour. I see big hope in such committed social movements.

Such a move can make a big difference." He also wanted the youngsters to take a pledge for reading and also encourage others, adding a well read generation would help India grow.

"The youngsters have the capacity to make a better society and nation, and together we can once again make India a land of wisdom and knowledge," the Prime Minister said.

P N Panicker was the driving spirit behind the library network in Kerala through Kerala Grandhasala Sangham (Library Association) with 47 rural libraries in 1945.