New Delhi, July 24: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday chaired the inaugural meeting of the newly constituted National Book Promotion Council (NBPC), marking a significant step toward revitalizing India’s reading culture and library movement.

The meeting focused on the development of the National Book Promotion Policy, a pioneering framework aimed at improving the quality, accessibility, and affordability of books across the country.

In a post on X, Minister Pradhan shared his vision for the initiative, emphasizing the need to make book reading a joyful experience. He praised the Council’s innovative ideas and urged members to embrace technology to cultivate reading habits and rekindle interest in books, especially among younger generations.

The Minister also highlighted the importance of integrating Indian values and cultural heritage into educational content, while also adapting to modern reading trends such as e-books and audio-visual formats.

The policy, aligned with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, seeks to strengthen the ecosystem of publishing, distribution, and library infrastructure. It also aims to ensure that high-quality learning materials reach even the remotest corners of India.

Held at the Ambedkar International Center, the meeting brought together experts, educators, and policymakers to discuss strategies for promoting Indian languages, digital content, and inclusive access to literature.