Thiruvananthapuram: The highly anticipated book festival preceding the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters 2025 (MBIFL’25) has commenced at the Kanakakunnu Palace grounds, featuring an extensive collection of books and literary discussions. Inaugurating the festival, Education Minister V Sivankutty announced that Kerala will introduce grace marks for students based on their reading habits, reinforcing the state’s commitment to literacy and education.

The minister highlighted the importance of fostering a reading culture among children and stated that marks will be awarded for engaging with books and newspapers. He also revealed that the preamble to the Indian Constitution will be included in school textbooks from classes 1 to 10.

Sivankutty noted that he was surprised to find the Malayalam alphabet missing from textbooks and had taken steps to ensure its inclusion after assuming office. The proposed grace marks initiative aligns with Kerala’s long standing emphasis on education and literacy, reinforcing the state’s commitment to holistic learning.

The Mathrubhumi Book Festival, a major highlight of MBIFL’25, runs from January 31 to February 9, showcasing over five lakh books in Malayalam and English. Readers who purchase books worth Rs. 3000 will receive a one-day entry pass to MBIFL, while purchases of Rs. 5000 will grant a two-day pass, offering access to literary discussions, cultural conversations, and artistic experiences.

The book fair is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm with free entry and parking. Purchases can be made via credit/debit cards and UPI payments. For more details, contact 8590604825.