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.

Add new comment

Random Stories

Assam flood: CPI demands Rs 1000 cr fund from the Centre

9 Sep 2008 - 4:24pm | editor
The Assam state unit of the CPI has demanded a Rs 1,000 crore fund from the Centre to relief and rehabilitate the state’s flood affected people.Addressing a press conference on Monday, the...

Bhubaneswar and Ajanta give final election touch in Darrang

11 Apr 2011 - 12:27am | Jayanta Kumar Das
Bhubaneswar Kalita,president APCC has given the final touch of the Congress election campaign in 65 Kalaigaon LAC by attending a massive election rally at religious minority dominated Rajapukhuri...

Woven mystery by Mystic Assam

12 Aug 2008 - 2:20pm | Ranjan K Baruah
Weaving has been an integral part in the lives of assamese society. Dating back to the 11th century, silk waving is one of the largest and oldest industries in Assam. Its importance is such that...

CM confident of best performance

4 Mar 2014 - 3:58pm | AT News
Jintul Talukdar from BhawanipurChief Minister Tarun Gogoi claimed on Tuesday that Congress would be able to put up a commendable performance in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.Talking to reporters at...

Other Contents by Author

Constructed in the year 1963 and operated in 1966, a bridge over Subansiri river has bought concern amongst people living in the area. The bridge build over the river Subansiri which connects Chawldhuwa and Devi Sarma Camp in the NH 52 has some crack which might lead to major destruction in near future. The Subansiri Bridge has become one of the busiest bridges in recent times as heavy loaded trucks carrying constructing materials and machinery for construction of mega power project at Gerukamukh pass through it. “If the bridge is not repaired at an earliest there will be cut off in communication between Dhemaji , Dhakuwakhana and Arunachal Pradesh”, said Binay K Tamuly Phukan...
It has been seen that the government has failed in giving safety and security to many people in the hill district of Assam. The poor communication ails the information to reach out to people outside the disturbed areas. The civilians have been affected by the violence and terrorist activities in the hill district of Assam. N C Hills and Karbi Anglong have witnessed various forms of violence in recent years. The human rights violations in the district have not been documented in proper way. The worst sufferers are the women and children. The schools remain close in these days which violate the rights of children who are supposed to be in school. To give a voice from the rights perspective...
Purva Bharati Trust organised 3 focused group discussion and workshop for youth and adolescents in some part of the Jorhat District from 27th to 29th May. Purva Bharati Trust is working as one of the Field Non Governmental Organisation (FNGO) in some areas of Jorhat district under national rural health Mission . The workshop and focused discussion which targeted young people from the age group of 10 to 19 were held in the Gatonga Tea Estate, Kamarbandha Tea Estate and Na Pamua Gaon .Its is interesting to note that most of girls leave studies due to various problems at their homes. The burdens of the family do not encourage the children especially the girls to continue their studies. Maini...
The most interesting Youth Festival under Gauhati University (GU) began on 16th May with various programmes. Colleges affiliated to Gauhati University from different part of the Asom have participated in the youth festival. So fare more than 40 colleges have registered for the festival and the organising committee is still waiting for more participation from the colleges based at different parts of Guwahati.Inaugurating the youth festival Okhil Kr Medhi, the Vice Chancellor of the University said that youth festival is one of the important events of the university. Speaking on the occasion Dr Samujjal Bhattacharya, the Advisor of All Assam Students Union (AASU) appealed the students to love...
Darwin School of Business(DSB), a premiere Management institute of North East, Conducted its third bi annual Symposium on “BEAT THE HEAT- Opportunities in the current economic scenario”, on 29th April ,Wednesday at Darwin auditorium. Dr. Kulendu Pathak, Ex. Vice Chancellor of Dibrugarh University, inaugurated the session. Dr. T.K.Bharali, Dean, Darwin School of Business while giving his welcome address lauded the efforts put in by the Event group for organizing a bi-annual symposium named “Biz Blitz”. The Chief Guest, Dr. Kulendu Pathak, during his inaugural address highlighted that China is overall better than India, but in terms of IT sector china is lacking behind...
In a bid to sensitize young people on democratic governance, Students Mobilization Initiative for Learning through Exposure (SMILE) under Indo Global Social Service Society (IGSSS) is organizing a day long workshop on Youth and Democratic Governance on 8th April, Wednesday from 10 am. The workshop will be organized in the conference hall of Darwin School of Business near the state zoo. Democratic governance is the central to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the critical importance of democratic governance in the developing world has been discussed internationally. The workshop shall focus on the role and importance of youth of youth for god and democratic...
People of the state have been made to understand that poor governance is prevailing in the state. The recent incident by two MLAs inside Kaziranga National Park has drawn the attention of nature lover from all over state. Various organisations have demanded to take action against the guilty MLAs who have violated laws and damaged the property of KNP. A public protest was organised by various civil society organisation on 29th at Guwahati demanding the authorities to take necessary actions against the MLAs who went on rampage in KNP on March 17.Members of several frontline nature and wildlife conservation organisation staged in sit- in demonstration in Guwahati demanding stern action against...
North East Centre for Sustainable Development in association with Darwin School Business had organized a lecture by Prof Anil K Gupta on 7th March. Prof Gupta is a faculty member from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and executive vice chairman of National Innovation Foundation. He has received Padmashri awards for his outstanding work with innovations and traditional knowledge. In his speech he mentioned that the grassroots innovations and traditional knowledge are important for the development of the society. He shared his experiences of meeting many grassroots innovators who have used their skill for innovating new things. Prof Gupta had appealed to the youths to popularize the...
North East Centre for Sustainable Development is organising a talk by Prof Anil K Gupta , executive vice chairman of National Innovations Foundation and a faculty member from IIM Ahmedabad on 7th march . The programmes shall begin at 7 pm and the venue shall be Darwin School of Business in R G Baruah Road. For participation and further details interested individuals may dial 98642 27589.
Eastern Confluence is organising Curves and shades 09 at the Art Gallery of Sankardev Kalakhetra from 15th 19th February. Many people from different parts of the city have visited the exhibition. The exhibition is mixture of paintings and photographs fro different parts of the country. The painters and photographers are from North East and they are professionally engaged in different parts of the country. Film screenings of documentaries have been organized along with the exhibition by the organizers. "It is really nice to see the talents of young professional from North East India and I wish that there would more of such people if they get platform to explore, said Ms Ruma Sharama to...