In her message in connection with the World Book Day, Sindh Culture Minister Sassui Palijo said that the culture department celebrates this day by organising ceremonies at libraries, thereby conveying a message to the people about the importance of books.
The department is also providing required infrastructure with latest books to readers, since it is recognised as a universal truth that a book is a man’s best friend.
In this regard, the department is striving to ensure provision of books in these libraries on the history of the province, as well as on literature and the fine arts, written by well-known writers. In the past four years, 84 books have been published, which is a record in itself.
Palijo said, “The culture of ‘book friendship’ has been strengthened by establishing 30 libraries in various cities of the province.”
A public library in Sachal Goth, Karachi; a public library in Pir Jo Goth; a public library in Matiari; a public library and culture centre in Khura Sharif, Gambat; Atta Muhammad Bhanbhro Library in Naushahro Feroze; and a cultural centre and library in Daraz Sharif, Khairpur are due to be launched shortly. Moreover, the foundation stone of 25 more libraries would be laid in the near future.
Dilating upon the importance of books in a civilised society, Palijo said that the future of a nation without an education is dark, and that the struggle for knowledge or information is important, for which books are the best of the sources because books are the outcome of continuous and gruelling struggles spanning centuries of experiences.
Culture Secretary Abdul Aziz Uqaili said that efforts for acquiring new books for libraries and ensuring separate reading rooms and the facility of computers are being carried out by the department so that the maximum number of people could benefit from them.
SEMINAR AT KU: Also in connection with the World Book Day, a seminar was organised at the University of Karachi on Monday under the auspices of the Department of Library & Information Sciences.
On the occasion, speakers said that reading books does not only nourish the soul, but it also rejuvenates the human intellect in probing things deeper and analysing things as well as provides guidance to people by exposing them to instances of life that they have not yet gone through.
The habit of reading enables the mind to think about objects and subjects of interest as well as help a person in making informed decisions, they added.
Unfortunately, the number of book readers is continuously decreasing, which is an indication that there might be a dearth of knowledgeable people in the future, it was further pointed out.
Department of Library & Information Sciences Chairperson Prof Malahat Kaleem Sherwani, Dr Mahmood Ghaznavi of the Department of Mass Communication, the playwright Shahana Jamshed, the novelist Hashim Nadeem, the cricketer Jalaluddin and others also spoke on the occasion.
Sherwani said that the reading culture has been vastly reduced. It is likely that the habit of reading is becoming less popular with every passing day, she added.
Ghaznavi highlighted that lack of reading habit in a society leads to less opportunities for its people. Formation of a complete family is difficult without the study of history, philosophy and literature, he added.
According to Jamshed, a good book could change the mindset of so many people, as it helps in taking the right decision at the right moment, whereas Jalaluddin also insisted upon the importance of reading for cricketers and other sportspersons.
Prof Naveed-e-Sehar delivered the vote of thanks, whereas Prof Farhat hosted the event, which was attended by a large number of students and teachers.
