Fri Sep 05 16:47:06 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The annual Madurai Book Festival was inaugurated on Friday, September 5, 2025, by Minister P. Moorthy. He highlighted the importance of education and the increasing number of book lovers in the region. Collector K.J. Praveen Kumar noted the festival’s growth, with an increase in the number of book stalls and a record ₹3.5 crore in book sales last year. He encouraged people to donate books to government schools and libraries and urged students and parents to prioritize reading. Mayor Indirani Ponvasanth and other dignitaries were also in attendance. Cultural programs will be held daily during the festival.

**News Article:**

**Madurai Book Festival Opens its Doors for Another Year, Celebrates Growing Readership**

**MADURAI, September 5, 2025** – The annual Madurai Book Festival officially kicked off today, with a grand inauguration led by Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration P. Moorthy. The event, held at [Location – Assumed, needs actual location], promises to be the biggest yet, reflecting the region’s increasing love for literature.

Minister Moorthy emphasized the vital role of education and the growing number of “bibliophiles” in Madurai. “The book festival receives a good reception from the public every year”, he stated, pointing to the popularity of the Kalaignar Centenary Library as further evidence of the city’s thriving literary scene.

Collector K.J. Praveen Kumar highlighted the festival’s expansion. “This year, we have 232 book stalls compared to 150 last year,” he announced. He also noted the impressive ₹3.5 crore in book sales at the previous festival, demonstrating the public’s enthusiasm for reading.

Kumar urged attendees to donate books to government schools and libraries. “Books are our best friends, Once we stop reading, our growth will stop. We encourage parents to instill a love for reading in their children,” he said.

The event was attended by Mayor Indirani Ponvasanth, BAPASI President Sethu Chockalingam, and other prominent figures. The festival will feature daily cultural programs alongside the book stalls.

The Madurai Book Festival is open to the public and offers a diverse selection of books to cater to all interests. It runs through [Date – Not Provided, needs actual dates] and is a prime opportunity for book lovers of all ages to explore new worlds through literature.

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