World Book Day 23rd April-Celebration of Reading
Every year on 23rd April, world is celebrating the World book
day. It is a Celebration of authors and publishers but most importantly it is a
celebration of reading. Actually, to honour the author Miguel De Cervantes, it
was decided to celebrate international book day on 7th October of
every year but later on it changed to 23rd April which is not only
death anniversary of Cervantes but also death anniversary of William
Shakespeare. This year on 23rd April 2020, we have cooped up at home
and there is definitely one upside to social distancing. Due to this, there is
a lot of restrictions on our freedom; but we are free to celebrate the world
book day by reading more and more books and writing our thoughts on the same.
Reading of book is one of the best habits of a man because books are known to
be the best friend for a reason.
From Yogesh Gogwekar
Friends, Literature is nothing but foundation of traditions, cultures
and beliefs of human nature. It is a reflection of reality and production of
art. Literature provides insight and knowledge, whether it is poetry or prose,
it does not make any difference. Without it, life will not exist. According to W. Somerset Maugham, a
Philosopher, ‘Literature is an art. It is not philosophy, it is not science, it
is not social economy, it is not politics; it is an art. And art is for
delight”. One should read his book, “Book and you” to understand the importance
of the books. Somerset Maugham has rightly said that reading book is a fun. He
has suggested some books with specific examples.
Many people read Textbooks, Documents and Journals but they do not want
to explore them by reading books on that subject. Books provide us the detailed
information about the happenings in the world and help us to boost and enhance
our imagination, power of judgment and social sense. Through books, man can
learn anything about everything and everything about anything. There is no end
for it. Thus, reading helps us to understand others and ourselves in this
social world.
Reading is really fun. I never stop reading. I read everything. I read
about Philosophy, Cricket, Music, films Bollywood and Hollywood, Politics
and some general things. It may be or may not be my comfort zone or things.
Remember one thing that if you start reading more about romance, then start
reading mystery & if you start reading more about mystery, then start
reading fantasy. My house has a library which has collections of many
books on different subjects. I always feel better use of space for books than
as a dining Room. It looks better to be surrounded by books as books are like
your old friends & you will never be alone when books are with you.
You take any book from your book collections; you find yourself in different world.
I always enjoy to read some books again and again like David Copperfield
written by Charles Dickens, Pride and Prejudice written by Jane Austen, Anna
Karenina & War and Peace written by Leo Tolstoy, Dr. Zivago by Boris
Pasternak, Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, Wuthering Heights written
by Emily Bronte. There are so many non-fictions have given me lot of
information. Even sports materials mostly on Cricket have been really
enjoyable. Books like Beyond the Boundary written by C L R James, An
Autobiography of unknown cricketer written by Sujit Mukherjee and The Corner of
the foreign field written by Ramchandra Guha are classic books on Cricket.
There are so many biographies but I really enjoyed biography of Gopal Krishna
Gokhale written by B R Nanda. There are so many books which I have read and
enjoyed. I just mentioned very little. Even book like’ Kashmir: A study in
India-Pakistan Relations’ is really fantastic book to understand Kashmir issue.
Reading is really a good habit and one should develop it. Good Books
help us to provide proper information and leads us to right direction. There is
no companion like a good book. It develops language skill and vocabulary.
In the words of W. Somerset Maugham, “When
I read a book I seem to read it with my eyes only, but now and then I come
across a passage, perhaps only a phrase, which has a meaning for me, and it
becomes part of me.” So, friends start reading books and think about the
importance before your books start talking about you in the cupboard.
At end, I am giving the quote of Charles William Eliot an American
academic about the books. He said,” Books are the quietest and most constant of
friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most
patient of teachers.”
Mumbai
23/04/2020
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