Book Reading Day- 30th December 2023
"That's the thing about books, they let you travel without moving your feet"
- 'Namesake.' Jhumpa Lahiri
On the significant occasion of December 30th, bidding farewell to 2023 and welcoming 2024, the library committee orchestrated a captivating event titled 'Introduction to Another World.' The choice of the title was intriguing, acknowledging the diverse stories each of us holds within our worlds. The event provided an opportunity for all to embark on a literary journey, connecting with the soul of language and literature.
In a world saturated with technology, where it is often believed that the allure of books has diminished, this day sought to challenge that notion. Two perspectives emerged—the belief that people are losing interest in reading due to the prevalence of entertainment shows and apps, and the counterargument that the digital age offers myriad ways to access e-books, preserving the essence of reading. The event began with a nod to this dichotomy, emphasizing that reading, whether in hardcopy or electronic format, is a celebration of the written word. This is what emphasized by the speaker at the outset of the event.
He underscored the notion that reading an ebook is tantamount to reading the hard copy itself. Additionally, he read a novel 'Reatsamadhi' by Geetanjali Shree, both in Hindi and its English translation by Daist Rockwell—exploring one version on a mobile device and the other in traditional hard copy. Sir further enriched the event by reciting poems, including Harish Minsharu's 'પરોઢ' and 'હું બ્લોગ પર ટાઇપ કરતો હતો એક ગઝલ' and Meena Kandasami's 'Prayers overhead in the Bathroom.'
On this book reading day, students from semesters 2 and 4 actively and enthusiastically participated, sharing captivating stories from various books. The stories were eloquently presented in both Gujarati and Hindi, transcending the boundaries of language, as the essence of a story goes beyond linguistic confines, rendering language merely a vessel of expression. The entire reading day was divided into two segments, both meticulously recorded and subsequently uploaded on the English department's YouTube channel.
Part 1:
Part 2:
Below is a list of participants along with the titles of the short stories or parts of novels they presented:
Additionally, students showcased their musical talents by singing songs:
The convergence of literary exploration and musical expression made this book reading day a rich and diverse celebration of language and creativity.
The book reading day left a lasting impression on both readers and listeners, who thoroughly enjoyed the diverse presentations. Recognizing the importance of being a good speaker necessitating being a good listener, the appreciable role of the listeners was acknowledged during the event.
Insiya and Pooja, leaders of the library committee, skillfully hosted the entire event. Towards the conclusion, Yashraj and Bhumi provided feedback as readers, while Unnati shared her insights as a listener. Megha ma'am shared valuable remarks on the day, and Prakruti ma'am offered insights on cultivating effective reading skills, emphasizing self-analysis. To add sweetness to the occasion, Megha ma'am and Prakruti ma'am distributed chocolates, symbolizing the joy of ushering in the new year, 2024. The event culminated with a heartfelt vote of thanks from the speaker.
I had the pleasure of reading the short story "Heavy is Gold" by Sunita Jain and singing the song "કુંચી આપો બાઇજી'," written by the Vinod Joshi sir. Notably, Vinod Joshi sir has recently been honored with the Sahitya Academy Award for the year 2023, recognizing his outstanding contribution to literature through his work 'Sairandhri.' It's noteworthy that Vinod Joshi sir has recently been honored with the Sahitya Academy Award 2023 for his outstanding work 'Sairandhri.' This recognition stands as a testament to the literary excellence and impact of his contributions to the world of literature. I feel enriched by the experience of connecting with both the short story and the song.
Special gratitude was extended to the library committee leaders for orchestrating the event, and applause was directed to the ICT committee leaders for recording and making both sessions available on the department's YouTube channel. The art and creativity committee were commended for their splendid decoration, featuring the knowledge tree and GyanGanga (River of Knowledge).
The event served as a wonderful conclusion to the year and a promising start to the new one, celebrating the joy of reading and listening. Recognizing that being a good listener is an admirable trait that reflects understanding, the speaker extended wishes for a Happy New Year and Happy New Ears to all.
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