National Reading Day Celebration – 2026

The Literary Committee of KVG Medical College & Hospital, Sullia, organized the National Reading Day celebration on 24 June 2026 at 3:00 PM in the KVC Hall. The programme aimed to promote reading habits, encourage critical thinking, and foster a culture of lifelong learning among students and faculty under the theme “Read • Reflect • Grow.”

The programme commenced with a soulful invocation by Mr. Rakshith Bhat, setting the tone for the celebration. while Mr. Mithu, Secretary of the Literary Committee, delivered the welcome address and warmly welcomed the dignitaries, faculty members, and students. The event was attended by faculty members from various departments, reflecting the institution’s collective support for promoting a reading culture.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Suryakumar K. B., Retired Professor and Head, Department of Forensic Medicine, KVG Medical College, delivered an inspiring keynote address. Drawing from his own experiences as an avid reader, he highlighted the importance of reading in shaping one’s personality, expanding knowledge, and nurturing critical thinking. He encouraged students to cultivate reading habits beyond academic textbooks and explore literature, biographies, history, philosophy, and other enriching genres.

The programme was presided over by Dr. K. V. Chidananda, President, AOLE and Medical Director, KVG Medical College & Hospital. In his presidential address, he emphasized that reading is a lifelong habit essential for personal growth, professional excellence, and compassionate medical practice.

The programme was also graced by Dr. Neelambikai Natarajan, Dean, KVG Medical College & Hospital. She remarked that such initiatives complement medical education by nurturing empathy, communication skills, creativity, and holistic personality development. She encouraged students to actively participate in similar literary and cultural activities, emphasizing that the habit of reading extends learning beyond the classroom and contributes to the making of compassionate and well-rounded healthcare professionals.

A special highlight of the programme was a rendition by obstetrician Dr. Veena M, who recited a beautiful composition on the significance of books and reading. Her presentation eloquently captured the enduring companionship of books and inspired the audience to embrace reading as a lifelong pursuit.

Dr. Bharath Shetty, Head of the Literary Committee, addressed the gathering and emphasized the importance of developing a lifelong reading habit. He remarked that, in today’s world, the greatest challenge is not the lack of books but choosing the right book from the vast amount of available literature. He encouraged students to read books that broaden perspectives, build character, stimulate critical thinking, and contribute to both personal and professional growth.

And then he continued to an engaging Book Cover Quiz, where participants identified well-known books based solely on artistic representations of their covers without any titles. The quiz generated enthusiastic participation and created excitement among students while encouraging them to explore classic and contemporary literature.

To further promote reading habits, books were distributed to the participants at the conclusion of the programme as a token of encouragement to continue their literary journey.

Ms. Siya Bhide efficiently compered the event. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Tejaswini, who expressed gratitude to the management, dignitaries, faculty members, students, and the organizing committee for making the event a grand success.

The National Reading Day celebration served as a meaningful reminder that reading is a lifelong investment in knowledge, wisdom, and personal development. The programme concluded with the inspiring message:

“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.”

Dean

Dr. Neelambikai Natarajan

Dr. Neelambikai Natarajan is a alumna of Thanjavur Medical College, where she obtained her medical degree. She further pursued her MD in Physiology from Madras Medical College and an MBA in Hospital Administration from Alagappa University.

Throughout her academic medical career, Dr. Natarajan has served in various capacities at several prominent institutions, including Madras Medical College, Madurai Medical College, Government Medical College Coimbatore, Government KAP Vishwanathan Medical College in Trichy, and Meenakshi Medical College in Kanchipuram. With over 20 years of administrative experience, she has held the position of Dean in multiple medical colleges for more than a decade. Her expertise in faculty training within medical education has earned her widespread recognition.

In addition to her administrative roles, Dr. Natarajan has served as an assessor on the Medical Council of India (MCI) panel for over 15 years. She was also an Ex-Senate member of the MGR University and Secretary of the Ethics Committee. Dr. Natarajan has completed an Advanced Course in Medical Education (ACME). Since 2019, she has been serving as the Dean at KVG Medical College and Hospital in Sullia.