The younger generation must develop a strong reading culture, as reading fosters intellectual growth. To acquire knowledge across various subjects, students should broaden their reading horizons, urged Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Dr Neelam Gorhe.
Dr Gorhe was speaking at the 'Mumbai District Book Festival 2024,' organised in Dadar through a joint effort of the Directorate of Libraries under the Higher and Technical Education Department, the Mumbai District Library Officer’s Office, and the Mumbai Marathi Granth Sangrahalaya. The festival was inaugurated by Minister of Industry and Marathi Language Uday Samant and Dr Gorhe by cutting the ribbon.
The event was attended by Acting Director of Libraries Ashok Gadekar, District Library Officer Shashikant Kakad, senior journalist and writer Shrikant Bojewar, President of Mumbai Marathi Granth Sangrahalaya Sheetal Kardekar, Secretary Ravindra Gawde, and several students.
Dr Gorhe emphasised that everyone should have the freedom to read what they like, but children should exercise discretion over their reading and viewing choices. She advised against excessive mobile phone use and encouraged daily reading to enhance writing skills. She stressed the importance of listening to others, maintaining legal boundaries when expressing views on social media, and learning from quality literature. Dr Gorhe also suggested submitting a proposal for funding the renovation and redevelopment of the Mumbai Marathi Granth Sangrahalaya building.
Students should learn about national leaders from an early age: Minister Uday Samant
Efforts should be made to attract young people to libraries, and literary initiatives should take the lead. The state government will organise children’s, youth, and women’s literary conventions this year to introduce students to national leaders from an early age, announced Marathi Language Minister Uday Samant.
He encouraged students to embrace audiobooks alongside physical books and highlighted the importance of Marathi literature for self-reflection. He urged readers to learn about Maharashtra’s rich cultural history, take pride in libraries, and plan book festivals on a larger scale.
While English and Hindi are important, Marathi should not be neglected, Samant said. He advocated for respecting the Marathi language and suggested that all libraries should adopt book exchange programmes like those at the World Marathi Conference. He assured that libraries would be digitised and that there would be no shortage of funds for this initiative.
The minister also announced the establishment of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Library and Research Centre in Ratnagiri and the installation of a unique statue of Shivaji Maharaj in a village in Raigad district, which will boost tourism.
In his introductory speech, Ashok Gadekar reaffirmed the Directorate of Libraries' commitment to promoting a reading culture. Ravindra Gawde delivered the vote of thanks, and Amey Ranade conducted the event.
Prior to the event, a grand 'Granth Dindi' (book procession) was carried out with traditional lezim and drum performances, passing through various locations, including the Mumbai Marathi Granth Sangrahalaya, Naigaon, Dadar (East), Municipal Fire Station, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, and several prominent squares.