75 publishers showcase books in multiple languages; LG says festival will bridge Ladakh’s knowledge traditions with wider world
Leh, Aug 14: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena on Thursday inaugurated the nine-day Ladakh Book Festival 2026, describing it as an important platform to strengthen the culture of reading and connect Ladakh’s rich intellectual and cultural heritage with contemporary India and the wider world.
The festival, jointly organised by the National Book Trust, Ladakh Administration and the Indian Army, brings together books, literature, authors, publishers and diverse literary traditions from across the country and beyond.
With 75 publishers participating, the festival features books in Hindi, English, Urdu, Ladakhi and other Indian languages, showcasing the country’s linguistic and literary diversity.
Addressing the gathering, Saxena said the festival assumes particular significance in Ladakh, where geographical remoteness and harsh winters can restrict access to the wider world. By bringing books and diverse ideas closer to the people, particularly youngsters, the initiative would help create an intellectual bridge between Ladakh and the rest of the country and world.
The LG noted that despite its geographical isolation, Ladakh has historically maintained strong intellectual links with the wider world through its traditions of Buddhist studies, manuscripts and knowledge exchange.
He said the Book Festival carries that centuries-old tradition forward by bringing ancient knowledge into dialogue with modern ideas.
Highlighting the importance of civil-military cooperation, Saxena said the partnership among the National Book Trust, Ladakh Administration and Indian Army demonstrated that nation-building goes beyond securing borders and also encompasses education, culture and knowledge.
The Lieutenant Governor placed particular emphasis on developing reading habits among children and youth.
He said 70 libraries were recently launched simultaneously across Ladakh, marking a significant step towards expanding access to books and encouraging students and young people to read. Such facilities, he said, would not only enhance knowledge but also help develop analytical skills and concentration.
“A good book expands our thinking and introduces us to new dimensions of the world. Books bring together knowledge, harmony, dedication and inner peace,” Saxena said.
He added that books enable people to better understand their own society and history while also learning from the experiences and perspectives of others.
The nine-day festival seeks to provide Ladakh’s readers, particularly its younger generation, greater exposure to literature while strengthening reading, education and lifelong learning across the Union Territory.
