A function was held to celebrate World Book Day at the Defence Authority Degree College for Women Phase-VIII on Monday.
Qudsia Akbar, a former president of the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, was the chief guest on the occasion. She highlighted the importance of reading books for development of one’s personality. Qudsia said that books impart knowledge, enhance one’s vision and bring a vivid transformation in life.
She added that a book is the best and most trustworthy companion in life. Qudsia said that there is a dire need of promoting culture of reading, as it brings refinement, tolerance and accommodation in society.
She stressed that the same is essential to combat the prevalent wave of militancy, extremism and violence that has engulfed the country.
Defence Central Library Secretary Col (retd) Rafat Naqvi said that the strength of a nation depends on its intellectual and literary prowess.
He stressed the need of having a network of public libraries in the community for making a progressive, dynamic and confident nation.
Naqvi elaborated that there is very little in the way of human achievement, knowledge or wisdom that is not confined between the covers of a book.
He said that through books, one could have contact with the greatest minds ever produced, roll back the centuries and peer into the future, and get inspiration and intellectual strength. A declamation contest was also held on the occasion, in which students made eloquent and thought-provoking speeches highlighting the significance of reading books and its impact on human behaviour.
An innovative documentary film prepared by the Library Science Department of the college was also shown.
Earlier, the Principal, Prof Samia Sadia, highlighted in her welcome address the achievements of the college in the field of academics and other co-curricular activities.
She commended the Library Science Department of the college for organising a literary and informative function in a befitting manner.
At the end, the chief guest distributed prizes and certificates among the winners of the declamation contest. A large number of students, faculty members and prominent citizens had attended the function.
