On Occasion of World Book Day on 23rd April 2023📚

Subject: On Occasion of World Book Day on 23rd April 2023

Written by: Yogesh Gogwekar

Yes, books play an important role in imparting knowledge from one person to another. Since different kinds of writers provide different types of information through their writings, the role of scripture in human culture becomes more important. Therefore, it becomes an important tool for acquiring knowledge. Some people like to read biographies or autobiographies of the most influential personalities in history or some people are mostly interested in the novels of fictions or some are interested in ideological or philosophical or historical materials to understand the history or nature of human beings and so on. On 23rd April, every year, we celebrate the day to promote the enjoyment of books. This is nothing but a celebration of readings.  Through this celebration we come to know the magical power of books which generates a link between past and future.

It is true that books provide knowledge but it depends on readers to use the acquired knowledge skillfully. Books will help human beings to get rid of suffering and achieve happiness. It helps human beings to expand his thinking broadly. Once we start getting knowledge through books, our next step is writing. Writing teaches us how to organise the chaotic store of information in our head, and also helps us to express our experiences very effectively. Thus, reading and writing help us to understand the external world in an effective manner with our own understanding. While going through the process, one should make a habit of asking questions, raising doubts  and resolving doubts from discussion with wise personalities.

In today’s world, thousands of books are being published continuously.  Even though the books are providing great knowledge, the readers must be careful while reading the books. Not all books are wise, prudent, dispassionate and truthful. One must check the information provided in the books on the basis of intellectual level and accept good details with proper references and reject the wrong information. If the reader accepts any information blindly, then he will not be able to get the true knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary for every reader to accept good, wholesome and discard unwholesome, harmful and unrighteous.

On 23rd April 1995 was created by the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to celebrate authors, illustrators, books and above all celebration of reading. It is being registered as a charity mission to give every child and young person a book of their own. Friends, I am having my own collection of books on Philosophy, History, Politics, Cricket, Movies, Music, Religion and other general readings. I enjoy reading. Here I am remembering Jean Paul Sartre who says that literature is a unique form of expression because it is not limited to the communication of ideas or information. Instead, literature is a form of art that seeks to capture the essence of human experience and convey it through the use of language. He further says that literature is a means of creating a new reality, one that transcends the limitations of our everyday lives. According to Sartre, literature is inherently subjective. Every reader brings their own experiences, beliefs, and values to a work of literature, and as a result, every interpretation is unique. This subjectivity is both a strength and a weakness of literature, as it allows for a diversity of perspectives but also makes it difficult to establish a single, objective meaning.

When I take a book from my own collections, I always find myself in a different world. I never get tired of books. There are some books which I always like to read again and again. I always enjoy reading.  A Philosopher, W. Somerset Maugham says, “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”. This is true. At the end, I wish you Happy word book day by quoting the words of Sir Winston S Churchill. He said, "If you cannot read all your books, at any rate handle, or as it were, fondle them – peer into them, let them fall open where they will, read from the first sentence that arrests the eye, set them back on the shelves with your own hands, arrange them on your own plan so that if you do not know what is in them, you at least know where they are. Let them be your friends; let them at any rate be your acquaintances. If they cannot enter the circle of your life, do not deny them at least a nod of recognition.”

Happy World Book Day

Thank you.

Yogesh Gogwekar

23/04/2023