Shortly after inaugurating the Kochi Metro rail service on 18 June, 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 bouquet. ‘I appeal to people to give a book instead of bouquet as a greeting. Such a move can make a big difference’, an ANI report said.
The Prime Minister also said that 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 PN Panickerji and his foundation. PN Panicker was also the driving spirit behind the library network in Kerala’, he said.