KPP-B’luru and SPMM-M’luru celebrate ‘World Book Day 2017’
Kannada Pusthaka Pradhikara (KPP), Bengaluru along with Sirigannada Pusthaka MaaraataMalige (SPMM), Mangaluru celebrated World Book Day on 23rd April 2017 at Al Rahaba Plaza Bldg, Nellikai Road, Mangaluru.
“If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all. There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written.” – Oscar Wilde
“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers. Books let us into their souls and lay open to us the secrets of our own” – Charles William Eliot
Mangaluru: World Book Day is an annual event celebrated every year by the people all over the world on 23rd of April. It is the most important event organised annually by the UNESCO in order to promote the reading, publishing and copyright among the public worldwide. World Book Day (WBD) is also Known as World Book and Copyright Day, World Book Days and International Day of the Book. World Book Day celebration was started by the UNESCO first time on 23rd of April in 1995.
And locally, here in Mangaluru, Kannada Pusthaka Pradhikara, Bengaluru along with SirigannadaPusthaka Maaraata Malige, Mangaluru will be celebrated World Book Day on 23rd April 2017 at Al Rahaba Plaza Bldg. Nellikai Road, Mangaluru at 11:00 a.m. Dr B Devadas Pai, Registrar, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, Mangaluru presided over the function, while Kasaragod Ashok Kumar President of D.K. Jilla Chutuku Parishath was the Chief Guest.
WBD is generally celebrated by the authors, illustrators, books and to encourage reading among common public. It is the worldwide celebration of the books and readings and celebrated in more than 100 countries. There are many legends behind celebrating the world book day on annual basis on international level worldwide. The connection of world book day celebration was established first time in the year 1923 by the various Spain booksellers in order to pay tribute to the most famous author named Miguel de Cervantes. The day is the death anniversary of the Miguel de Cervantes. But the exact date of the world book day celebration was established first time in 1995 by the UNESCO to celebrate the World Book and Copyright Day.
The date has been decided by the UNESCO to pull worldwide people attention to pay tribute to the books and authors. It encourages people especially youngsters to read books, discover real pleasure and knowledge among books as well as creating new ideas for their extraordinary contributions towards the social and cultural development of the country or people. Giving a rose with each book purchase to the customer may motivate them to read books and feel respected. WBD is observed to promote the power of books among people in order to bring them together as well as disseminate a variety of cultures to other people. The day is celebrated to promote education among young people as well as people living in underprivileged sections. At this day, some young people including children are awarded for their better performance for novels, short stories or picture books promoting peace, tolerance, understanding and respect among each other for other cultures and traditions.
WBD programme held here began with welcome address by Marcel D’Souza- a writer and representative of Sirigannada Pusthaka Maaraata Malige, Mangaluru, followed by Chutuk Kavi Ghoshti conducted by Sureka, a writer and teacher by profession. Writers namely Vignesh Bhide, J F D’Souza-Attavar, Suresh Nagalaguli, Tharanath Bolar, Malathi Shetty Manur, Gunavathi Keenya, Chandrashekar Boloor and Surekha delivered their Chutuk Kavi quotes- and they were later presented with mementoes by the President of the programme.
Addressing the gathering on the topic “Benefit of Reading Books”, chief guest Kasaragod Ashok Kumar said, ” The practice of reading books should start at an early age. Presently we see libraries in schools and colleges, but hardly any students make use of the facility because they are busy browsing through the Internet using mobiles and other electronic gadgets. But to gain better knowledge, reading books is good. Teachers and parents should inculcate the habit of reading to their children. To make reading more effective, books should be introduced in churches, temples, mosques, schools, colleges etc so that people start showing interest in reading. Because by reading books you can gain knowledge, and you’ll also develop the talents to speak/give public speeches.”
“Yes, people employed in government or bank jobs earn good money, but people like Marcel D’Souza who as an agent for ‘Sirigannada Pusthaka Maaraata Malige’ (a book store) don’t make money because not many people patronise book shops due to lack of interest in reading. We need readers, we need book buyers-also government should support and encourage book sellers/dealers in order to make book reading a successful hobby. My publications on issues of ‘Yettinahole project’ received a good response, so my suggestion for the writers, when you write a book always pick a current and interesting topic, the results will be great” added Kumar.
In his presidential address, Dr Devadas Pai said, “One can get involved in celebrating the world book day by buying and reading some exciting and funny books from the market or popular book shops where all the favourite books based on brands, characters or authors are available. World book day celebration plays a great role in bringing kids closer to the books reading habits as well as creates interest in them to know about authors and other important things. I have noticed that people are ready to spend Rs 500-1000 on an item at a shop or mall but are not ready to pay Rs 100 towards the purchase of a good book, which will last forever. The mentality of the people needs to be changed in the present era”.
“Another important thing that writers, poets and others should strictly follow is their copyright-you need to hire a lawyer who would take care of this issue. Because these days many of your original publications have been reproduced and sold in the market, which results in losses to the original composer/writer. We need to support the writers and also the book sellers. A bookstore is one of the only pieces of evidence we have that people are still thinking. We need to work hard to bring a change, and make book reading as one of the best hobbies” added Dr Pai. The vote of Thanks was delivered by J F D’Souza-Attavar.
In conclusion, as great icons have said that “A book is a device to ignite the imagination; A book is a dream that you hold in your hand; A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face; A good book has no ending; A good book is the precious lifeblood of a master spirit; A room without books is like a body without a soul; A house without books is like a room without windows; A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading; Books are the bees which carry the quickening pollen from one to another mind; Books are depositories of heritage, cultures, windows of knowledge, tools for dialogue, source of wealth and so many”- then why not make “Book Reading” an important hobby and make a difference in your life.