Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on August 14 inaugurated the nine-day Ladakh Book Festival 2026, organised by the National Book Trust, Ladakh Administration and the Indian Army in Leh.

The festival aims to bring books, literature and diverse literary traditions from across India and abroad closer to the people of Ladakh. It features books in Hindi, English, Urdu, Ladakhi and other Indian languages, with stalls showcasing 75 publishers and highlighting India’s rich linguistic and literary diversity.
Inaugurating the festival, the Lieutenant Governor said the Ladakh Book Festival 2026 would serve as an important platform to promote reading, literature, education and knowledge, while connecting Ladakh’s rich cultural and intellectual heritage with contemporary India and the wider world.

The festival assumes special significance in Ladakh, where geographical remoteness and harsh winters have often limited access to books and wider intellectual resources. By bringing books, authors, publishers and diverse ideas to the region, the festival seeks to create an intellectual bridge between Ladakh and the rest of India and the world, while encouraging young people to develop a habit of reading and lifelong learning.

Addressing the gathering, Saxena noted that despite its geographical isolation, Ladakh has historically remained connected with the wider world through its rich traditions of Buddhist studies, manuscripts and intellectual exchange. He said the Book Festival carries forward this centuries-old tradition by bringing ancient knowledge into dialogue with modern ideas.

The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted the importance of civil-military cooperation, noting that the collaboration between the National Book Trust, Ladakh Administration and the Indian Army in organising the festival demonstrates that nation-building extends beyond securing the country’s borders to promoting education, culture and knowledge.

Emphasising the importance of developing reading habits among children and youth, Saxena said that 70 libraries were recently launched across Ladakh, marking an important step towards expanding access to books and encouraging reading among students and young people. He said these libraries would not only increase access to 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,” the Lieutenant Governor said, adding that books also provide an opportunity to understand one’s own society and history while learning from the experiences of others.