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Books will always thrive: Borgohain

By Staff reporter

GUWAHATI, Dec 14 � Noted writer Homen Borgohain today asserted that books will always thrive irrespective of all the transitions coming in the society including the competition from the electronic media.

Inaugurating the 13th edition of the North East Book Fair organized by the All Assam Publishers and Book Sellers Association at the Assam Engineering Institute playground at Chandmari here, Borgohain pointed out that the electronic media will never succeed in replacing books, which has been the only true companion of man since ages.

�The popularity of books has been increasing day by day because in this complex age, man is becoming lonely and living an unhappy life. So books are the only companion of the lonely new generation,� said Borgohain, adding that though it is not possible to read all the books one wanted, by surrounding oneself with books it is possible to create a positive ambience.

Borgohain, reflecting on the benefits of book fairs, said that it was the responsibility of the publishers to infuse new ideas into such events so that more people are attracted and the reading habit increases.

�Books are the benchmark of a society�s intellectual progress. We need to create a more vigorous reading habit and revive the library movement in the State,� he said, calling upon the publishers to focus on thematic variations so as to meet the expectations of the new-age readers.

Renowned Oriya writer Dr Pratibha Roy in her speech highlighted the challenges faced by the writers and their responsibility towards the society and readers. Dr Roy while acknowledging that love for books and nature made her a writer said that to be a writer was a responsible job. �Writers cannot be mute spectators to the decadence creeping into the social fabric. They have the responsibility to create awareness among the masses to keep the fight on against the monster of economic imperialism and cultural decadence,� said Dr Roy regretting that the culture of the country was becoming endangered in the hands of a section of educated Indians who have lost their roots.

Stressing that respect for one�s culture and mother tongue was paramount to establishing a distinct identity, Dr Roy called for strengthening the area of translation, mentioning that such an initiative will build the bridge of unity between all parts of the country. �Language is regional but literature is not. Literature is universal and will help in building regional cooperation,� she said.

Noted actor George Baker released the souvenir Grantham on the occasion.

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