Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar today visited the Shimla Book Fair organized at the historic Gaiety Theater and Ridge Maidan, Shimla. Nine-day long Shimla Book Fair from June 25 to July 3 was organized by National Book Trust (NBT) in collaboration with the State Department of Language, Art, and Culture in Shimla.
On the occasion, during an interaction program with the students of various schools of Shimla town at Gaiety Theatre, the Governor said that books enhance your knowledge and were our true friends, guide and philosopher. He added that the author's thoughts were significant to us as it was their life experiences and that is why books were our friends. Books not only teach us but those who are fond of reading books never feel lonely, he said.
Sharing his personal experience, he said that he was fond of reading books from his student life and he got the interest of reading books from his father. He enriched knowledge by reading books at school and college level, he added.Shri Arlekar said that today's young generation has a less interest in reading books other than syllabus books.
He stressed that the habit of reading needs to be inculcated. He said that he has taken an initiative in this direction to inculcate this habit among the youth. He visits the schools and joins the classroom with the students and interacts with them. He said that he inspires them to study as he believes that 'Padhoge to badhoge'.
In a question asked by the students, the Governor said that he has not written any book yet but now he was contemplating to write an 'Autobiography'. He said that at present he chooses books to read. He said that he would try to include novels in the curriculum.Earlier, Dr. Pankaj Lalit, Director, Language, Art and Culture welcomed the Governor.
Dr. Lalit Kishore Mandora, Editor, NBT and other Shimla based writers were also present on the occasion.Later, the Governor went to various stalls and also bought some books of his interest. 63 stalls of about 43 publishers have been set up in this book fair.