'A book is the best companion and friend when one is alone'

Scholars, poets, writers urge need to inculcate reading habit among youth

KARACHI: Urdu scholar and poet Satyapal Anand has said that the interest of people in the 13th Karachi International Book Fair (KIBF) creates an impression that it is the dawn of book culture.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the five-day book fair on Friday, Anand said that a book never gets old as every time you read it, you feel you are reading something new. He said reading has not reduced in developed countries.

Former information minister Javed Jabbar said that Pakistan lacks research and we should induce a habit of research in our children.

The stall of Anjuman-e-Taraqqi-e-Urdu was visited by a large number of booklovers. The Anjuman Honourary Secretary Dr Fatima Hasan, Anand, Zahida Hina, Abid Rizvi, Dr Yasmeen Farooqi, Shoukat Zaidi were also present at the stall.

Dr Hasan said it was the need of the hour that steps are taken to promote reading. "We should promote reading among our children at our homes. Parents should lead with their own example," she said, adding that the Anjuman has ensured provision of books to students on discounted rates and this is the reason for the rush at the stall.

Progress is the need of every period, according to Hina. "Our new generation should bring itself in alignment with the requirements of the times, but the beautiful habit of book reading should not be ignored because a book is the best companion and friend when one is alone," she said.



University and college students and people with literary flair purchased books of their choice from the Anjuman stall on discounted rates. Collections of Jamiluddin Aali's columns Naqar Khanay Mein was the most popular book sold at the stall. Anjuman has also reissued Aasarus Sanadeed by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan in honour of his 200th birthday.