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

Suspected B’deshi: Congress leaders run the risk of peril

11 Aug 2008 - 2:14pm | editor
A section of political leaders of the ruling Congress is behind the documents being used by some suspected Bangladeshi immigrants to prove their Indian citizenship. Some startling revelations have...

Journalism workshop in BTAC area

15 Aug 2014 - 12:37pm | Hantigiri Narzary
2 workshops on "Citizens as Journalists & the power of New Media" at Udalguri and Kokrajhar on August 23-25 and August 28-30 respectively are being organised by Assam Times Foundation in...

‘An Inspector Calls’ to be staged on Nov 27

17 Nov 2019 - 9:57am | Prantik Deka
After a long gap, the Assam chapter of Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) will present a new Assamese play in the form of ‘An Inspector Calls’ on November 27, 2019, at the Kumar Bhaskar Natya...

Gogoi in Guwahati; to resume work soon

10 Sep 2010 - 10:12pm | editor
After one and a half months of absence, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is back in Guwahati. Gogoi arrived in the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport on Friday afternoon where he...

Other Contents by Author

The Centre for Civil Society hosted its 6th Annual School Choice National Conference on Friday at the India Habitat Center, New Delhi. The theme for this year’s conference was ‘Freedom in Education’. Various organisations working in the education space have been advocating for freedom in education. The concept of freedom in the educational context is quite vast and has multiple aspects to it including curricular freedom, freedom to private and independent educators to run schools etc. The conference addressed critical issues like who are the beneficiaries/ stakeholders in education, what we mean by ‘freedom’, what are the things that undermine freedom, what are the policies that promote...
Sainik School Goalpara got a new principal after a gap of six months. Major Dipankar Sharma, the Registrar handed over the charge to the new incumbent, Captain Edwin Jothi Rajan who was serving as Additional Command Education and Welfare Officer in the headquarters, Western Naval Command, Mumbai.Commissioned in the Indian Navy in 1996, he has been closely associated with training of officers and sailors entrants of the Indian Navy, in addition to holding appointments in the Command headquarters and integrated headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Navy).The Principal addressed the staff and the cadets during the Special Assembly held on December 12 in which he exhorted the staff on the...
Human rights are integral part of life’s journey. In spite of having rights there are instances when our rights are challenged. In the past or at present there are examples of human rights violations around the world. Human rights are of global concern and different nations have different rights for their citizens.  In the global perspectives the ‘Declaration of Human Rights’ remains one of the most significant documents to have been drafted by the international community. Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says ‘all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit...
In an attempt to ensure a sustainable and dignified reintegration of the excluded communities including homeless, parentless, person with disability, girl children, children/person affected with HIV/AIDS, brick kiln workers, construction workers, linguistic minorities, tribal communities, high risk groups and unemployed youth into main stream society, Aide et Action International- South Asia (AEAI-SA), an international NGO  organized a solidarity event ‘Run for Inclusion-Turning dreams into reality’ – a  5 KM run on November 23, 2014 at GuwahatiArman Ali, Director of Shisu Sarothi   flagged off the event at 8:30 Am at Assam Engineering Field, Chandmari and ended at...
The book ‘Kéérook and Other Stories from North East India’is a collection of ten fictional short stories based on lives and livelihoods of the people living in the region and written by Group Captain Mohonto Panging was released by retired air marshal Anjan Kumar Gogoi at a recent function in Guwahati.The stories narrate tales about the unique way of life, customs and traditions of people habitating an area with similar terrain, weather, flora and fauna called North East India. Three stories Indi-Chini Bhai Bhai, Odyssey to Thoubal and Exodus to the North East are based on recent geo-political events related to people from North East India vis-à-vis mainland India. These are of special...
Goalpara Sainik School Old Boys Association (OBA) organised its 9th Blood Donation Camp at Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute on August 15. Organisers told Assam Times that as a part of the Sainik School Goalpara Golden Jubilee Celebration year, OBA has donated 46 units of blood by its members and families. OBA also distributed food packets to the indoor patients of Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute.
To celebrate the spirit of India’s 68th Independence Day, Old Boys Association, Sainik School Goalpara, the alumni association of Sainik School Goalpara (SSG) is organizing a Blood Donation Camp at Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati with an aim to promote Blood Donation and a Healthy Life on 15th August from 9 am onwards. The camp is 9th in a row which was initiated at Army Base Hospital, Basistha in the year 2006. The venue was shifted to Dr B. Borooah Cancer Institute in the year 2009 and since then OBA SSG has been organizing the camp with the Blood Bank, Dr B. Borooah Cancer Institute to commemorate the Independence Day of our nation. Diganta Gogoi--9435047990Ranjan K Baruah--...
Education is all encompassing constituting the scholastic and co- scholastic pursuit. For the healthy growth of a child both these areas need to be addressed in any school. In a bid to enhance quality education GODWINS School which was established in 1996 in the city. GODWINS School had observed parents day and a cultural programme of the primary section on 22nd December at the auditorium of Sankardev Kalakhetra. Titled as ‘Rocking Angels’, this event has witnessed cultural programme performed by the students of the primary section.  Students performed bihu dance, Manipuri dance apart from modern dance and other cultural activities.  This was organised to give focus on co-...
Sainik School Goalpara (SSG), one of the premier institutes of the regionis going to celebrate its Golden Jubilee with a yearlong programme commencing from  Nov 12, 2013 to Nov 12, 2014. Sainik School Goalpara was established on Nov 12, 1964. It is a residential school for boys, providing Public School Education with an aim to prepare them to join defence Services. Initially the school started its operation from a temporary campus at Goalpara town and later on, in the year 1976, school got shifted to its permanent campus in Mornoi, around 18 kms away from Goalpara town. With a huge sprawling green campus of more than 3000 acres, it boasts of having state of the art infrastructure, both...
Foundation for Social Transformation organised a creative drama workshop on 14th June at its premises. This programme was mainly organised for youths who are interested in drama, theatre and street plays for creating awareness on social issues. Manash Protim Neog, an alumnus of National School of Drama was the resource person who emphasised on different forms of theatre.  He elaborated on a few theatrical productions which had tremendous impact on the society. “Acting is one of the powerful tools for social change which needs spirit of team work apart from other skills”, said Neog while addressing the participants of the workshop. “It was a new experience for us , we got to learn...