Shelf Life Renewed: India’s Campaign To Celebrate Reading Everyday

Celebrating The Context  
On January 15, 2026, HarperCollins India unveiled its year-long campaign, Read for Pleasure, inspired by a similar initiative in the UK. The program encourages citizens to dedicate 30 minutes daily to reading purely for enjoyment, not productivity. The announcement coincided with the Reading India Dialogue at the New Delhi World Book Fair, where discussions centered on building a national reading culture and strengthening libraries.  

Key Highlights  

• HarperCollins India declared 2026 as the Year of Reading for Pleasure, urging readers to commit 30 minutes daily  
• The campaign emphasizes joy, curiosity, and wellbeing over performance-driven reading  
• New Delhi World Book Fair hosted Reading India Dialogue, focusing on national reading culture and literary exchange  
• Sessions explored India–Iran literary ties, military heritage, and the role of libraries in shaping communities  
• The initiative seeks to re-center reading as a vital everyday habit amid digital distractions  

Impact And Reflection  
The campaign reflects a growing recognition that reading is not just an academic exercise but a source of joy, resilience, and cultural connection. By encouraging daily reading, HarperCollins India and the World Book Fair aim to counter the fast-paced digital environment where attention is fragmented. The initiative also highlights the importance of libraries, book fairs, and literary dialogues in nurturing collective imagination.  

For cities like New Delhi, the joy of reading becomes a shared civic experience, weaving together diverse communities through stories and ideas. As India embraces this movement, the hope is to inspire a generation that values reflection, creativity, and the timeless pleasure of books.  

Sources: HarperCollins India Press Release, The Hindu, ABP Live