Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday said the Dravidian Model government is implementing several schemes aimed at supporting writers and nurturing a strong reading culture across the State, a move he said was a matter of pride for the government.Speaking at the inauguration of the 49th Chennai Book Fair, the Chief Minister highlighted the State’s sustained efforts to promote literature, authors, and readers. He noted that the government has beeen organising book fairs across districts and extending financial assistance of ₹25 lakh annually for government-supported book fairs.
Stalin said the State has invested heavily in library infrastructure, citing the Kalaignar Centenary Library in Madurai, built at a cost of ₹218 crore, as a landmark initiative.
He added that major knowledge centres such as Kamarajar Arivalayam in Tiruchirappalli and Periyar Arivalayam in Coimbatore are also being developed to serve as hubs of learning and intellectual exchange.
The Chief Minister further stated that nearly four lakh books have been distributed to reading circles for the benefit of young readers, helping to widen access to quality literature.
He also traced the growth of the Chennai Book Fair, which began with just 13 stalls and has now expanded to over 1,000 stalls, becoming one of the largest literary events in the country.
Emphasising the importance of reading, Stalin urged the public to cultivate the habit of reading books every day, calling it essential for intellectual growth and social progress.
