The Hindu : National : Heralding spring with books

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 04, 2005

National

National

Heralding spring with books

By Sushanta Talukdar

GUWAHATI, APRIL 3. Hundreds of schoolchildren today welcomed the arrival of spring in a unique way.

With placards on their hands and slogans on their lips — "Fall in love with books," "It is never too early to read, it is never late to read," "Let us read and have fun," "For a better tomorrow, buy a book, or beg or borrow" and "peace brings prosperity" — the students from different schools took out a procession through the main thoroughfares of the city to mark the beginning of a weeklong "third spring festival of children and books" organised by Anwesha, a non-governmental organisation.

For the last nine years, the Anwesha has been doing a pioneering job of promoting the reading habit among schoolchildren as well as other people by holding book fairs in both the urban and rural areas of the State. A group of child artists were seen working with their brushes on a large canvas to spread the message of arrival of the books and the joy of reading.

A weeklong children's book fair has also been organised as part of the festival. Besides, various competitions such as storytelling and mock parliament have been organised.

Enhancing reading habit

"The objective behind organising this spring festival is to inculcate the reading habit among schoolchildren through the creation of a jovial atmosphere.

As part of the festival, eminent writers and educationists would exchange their views on the importance of enhancing the reading habit among children," said the chairman of Anwesha, Praseh Malakar.

Joya Mitra, poet and literary activist, Birendra Nath Dutta, folklorist and former president of the Asam Sahitya Sabha, and Jatin Hazarika, former Home Secretary, participated in the inaugural function held here this morning.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National