Skip to content Skip to navigation

Reading: A refuge for everyone

Books have been our friends for years. We are aware that readers are always leaders as they inspire others and lead others in different fields. Books have long embodied the human capacity to conjure up worlds, both real and imagined, giving voice to the diversity of human experience. Books are the storehouse of knowledge and documented experiences which enable us to learn and move ahead in life. Books have been a source of hope and it enhances dialogue amongst people.

Like reading and other activities related to books, storytelling   is   an incredibly effective   tool   when   it   comes   to   educating   younger generations. There is no doubt that books are vital vehicles to access, transmit and promote education, science, culture, and information worldwide. To promote reading and encourage copyright, 23rd April is observed as World Book and Copyright Day (WBCD). At WBCD, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) calls on its partners to share the message that books are a force to address contemporary challenges, to understand political   and   economic   realities, and to   combat   inequalities   and   misinformation. In 2022, the Mexican city of Guadalajara is taking up the mantle of World Book Capital, with a year-long programme that focuses on the role of books and reading in triggering social change, combating violence, and building a culture of peace.

23rd April marks the departure of three great authors of universal literature, Miguel de Cervantes, William Shakespeare, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and this is also the reason to observe the day. The day is a celebration to promote the enjoyment of books and reading. Each year, on April 23, celebrations take place all over the world to recognize the scope of books - a link between the past and the future, a bridge between generations and across cultures.

Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO in her message on the occasion said that “at a time when digital technology is changing the face of the publishing industry, we advocate for the fair remuneration of authors and the   protection   of   cultural   diversity.   We   support   the   work   of   publishers   through   undertakings   such   as   partnerships   with   the   International   Authors   Forum,   the   International  Federation  of  Library  Associations  and  Institutions,  and  the  International  Publishers Association.” On World Book and Copyright Day, she called upon all of UNESCO’s partners to share the message  that  books  are  a  force  to  address  contemporary  challenges,  to  understand  political   and   economic   realities,   and to   combat   inequalities   and   misinformation.

By championing books and copyright, UNESCO stands up for creativity, diversity and equal access to knowledge, with the work across the board – from the Creative Cities of Literature network to promoting literacy and mobile learning and advancing Open Access to scientific knowledge and educational resources. WBCD has become a platform to rally together millions of people all around the world. We should not forget that books have the ability to entertain and to teach. Books are a means of accessing the deepest places in our minds. 

Let us also observe the day and promote reading culture amongst people. We have challenges as digital materials are more available than printed books. One may read from the hard copy of the soft version but it is important that we read and spread the knowledge for a sustainable tomorrow.

Author info

Ranjan K Baruah's picture

Citizen Journalist and activist.

Add new comment

Assamese Translator

Assam Times seeks English to Assamese translators!
Join our volunteer team.
Email editor@assamtimes.org.

Random Stories

AASU team meets CM in Delhi

25 Apr 2017 - 5:22pm | AT News
An AASU delegation net chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday in New Delhi a day before the tripartite talks on the implementation of the Assam Accord. Sonowal, who has been camping in the...

Akhil unwell, admitted in AMCH

20 Oct 2017 - 3:36pm | Akshaya Pranab Kalita
KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi is undergoing treatment at the Assam Medical College Hospital in Dibrugarh where he was admitted a couple of hours back on Friday.  Gogoi, who had been languishing...

Bhutanese delegation visits IIE

24 Mar 2016 - 7:57pm | AT News
Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) Guwahati and Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce (FICCI) jointly organized an Interactive session with a 35 members delegation from Royal Institute for...

Jesuit-Salesian study notes development induced displacement in Sikkim

25 Nov 2016 - 8:30pm | CM Paul
A major study on displacement of peoples in Sikkim was released at a 3-day International Seminar on “North East: Peoples, Power and Perspectives” held at Sikkim Central University, Tadong.At the...

Other Contents by Author

Pradeep Multani, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry has congratulated the finance minister for presenting a pragmatic and promising Budget for Aatmanirbhar Bharat. “It is highly encouraging that the Union Budget seeks to lay the foundation and give blueprint of economy over ‘Amrit Kal’ of next 25 years – from India at 75 to India at 100.” Multani said. Bhaskar J Gogoi, Co-Chair of North-East Committee mentioned that PM-DevINE which will be implemented through the North-Eastern Council (NEC) and fund infrastructure, in the spirit of PM GatiShakti and social development projects based on felt needs of the North East will enable livelihood activities for youth and women,...
Indian Institute of Management Shillong (Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research & Analysis) entered into an MoU with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh on 23rd July 2021, Friday at Shillong. Hon’ble Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Pema Khandu graced the MoU signing ceremony with his presence. Shri Naresh Kumar, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Arunachal Pradesh and Dr. D.P Goyal, Director IIM Shillong represented the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and IIM Shillong respectively. The MoU is aimed at fostering mutual agreement between the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research Analysis of IIM Shillong and the Finance Planning and Investment...
The ‘Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research & Analysis and Incubation and Enterprise Support Centre' at IIM Shillong hosted a two-day virtual workshop cum roundtable discussion for ‘Business Incubators of North East India' on July 16th and 17th, 2021. The virtual workshop cum roundtable discussion were attended by representatives of various incubators from the North Eastern (NE) States. Several topics were covered during the sessions such as, status of business incubators in NE, managing incubators in Indian context, technology commercialization through incubation, offering specialized services, implementing a mentoring program, raising finance for incubated startups, and...
In the time of world Covid-19 crisis, Assam is not exceptional, people of the state specially people from rural areas and flood prone areas affected by this pandemic most. Majuli the world’s largest river island depended on tourism facing economic hurdles due to the less number of tourist visits due to restrictions in response to Covid-19 pandemic.On the other hand, change in the climate has also affected the balance of life and ecosystem of the island. In response to these issues a civil society organization North East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS) putting an effort to strengthen resilience and sustainable adaptation to climate change in flood-affected areas in collaboration...
On the eve New Year, 1st January and the first day of 2021 North East Affected Area Development Society( NEADS)  in support of Bread for the World and North East Dialogue Forum(NEDF) organised a campaign on combating climate change at Nimati Ghat which is the gateway of largest river island Majuli which is a heritage site. The campaign focuses on reducing use of plastic which is one of the major factors behind environmental degradation. With the help of greetings cards which have been prepared by the adolescent girls club of Phesual, Jorhat by recycling waste materials spreading messages on climate changes among the people who have visited Nimati Ghat for New Year retreat. The...
Historical monuments or sites are heritage for us. These heritage sites are everywhere on earth and each one of them have their importance.  Different heritage sites reflect the rich past of our ancestors. It is not only for history lovers but anyone would be fascinated by seeing different monuments around us which are heritage and resources for us. We are facing global crisis at present for which we are locked in inside our homes and fighting COVID19. Even if we want to explore any heritage sites at present we are not able to do so. Like many other events and celebration every year 18th April is for heritage and the occasion is International Day for Monuments and Sites which was...
We are all concerned about corona virus these days. Whether a developed nation likes United States or country like India it has affected all corners of the world. The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading to more countries, territories and regions of the world at an alarming rate and physical and social distancing practices are becoming commonplace to stop the spread of the disease.  Social distancing means no activity outside homes which is restricting many positive things like doing morning walks or doing physical exercises in parks, play grounds or even gyms. Individual are also avoiding physical activities outside as all are lock down around us. Social distancing and lock down means we...
Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM) has organised skill conclave was organised at Maniram Dewan Trade Centre, Guwahati on 23rd and 24th July. This conclave provided a platform to all the stakeholders in the skill eco system to interact and exchange ideas for creating a more sustainable and effective environment which can harness the full potential of the youth. The conclave witnessed the convergence of various mission / directorates imparting skill development schemes. The two days conclave also witnessed a series of events which included the skill exhibition, job fair, skill symposium and distribution of awards which was attended by Sarbanada Sonowal, Chief Minister of Assam...
Guwahati: Old Boys Association Sainik School Goalpara (OBA SSG) and Manash Borah Memorial Trust is organising 9th Manash Borah memorial inter institutional debating competition on 31st May at ITA Machkhowa in Guwahati. The topic for the debate competition is in the opinion of the house “the strained relation between the judiciary and the executive is detrimental to India’s democracy “ . The competition is open from Class XI to PG level and each institution should be represented by one team comprising two debators( one for the motion and other against the motion) . The debaters may speak in Assamese or English and depending on the number of participants may have to go through a screening....
GUWAHATI: The Old Boys Association of Sainik School Goalpara (OBA SSG) has taken up the beautification of six mile fly over by managing the traffic island garden at the fly over. Two traffic island garden were inaugurated by Mr Pradyut Chaudhury who praised OBA SSG for taking the initiative. Ranjit Borthakur who is also the president of OBS SSG has said that OBA SSG has been taking up different social activities since its inception and the organisation is committed for working for the betterment of society .   OBA SSG is a registered society of alumni of Sainik School Goalpara and it conducts different social activities like free medical health check up, plantation programme,...