‘Book-reading still alive’

ISLAMABAD: “Not only is the importance of books alive but interest in book reading has grown rapidly despite the fact that computers and the internet are widely accessible,” said, Professor Dr Nowshad Khan of AIOU.

Dr Khan, Chairman of the Department of Agricultural Sciences at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), was addressing participants of a walk held on Saturday inside the University campus to celebrate World Book and Copyright Day, which is held every year on April 23.

The objective of the event was to promote authors, books, reading, publishing and protection of intellectual property through copyrights.

The idea for this celebration originated in Catalonia, Spain, where on 23 April, also Saint George’s Day, a rose is traditionally given as a gift for each book sold, according to the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) website.

However, World Book and Copyright Day was first officially organised by UNESCO in 1995, Dr Khan explained.

The Day has gradually become popular in more than a hundred countries and is observed at the government level, Dr Khan said. He said the progress of any country or nation depends on the literacy of its people. Parents should encourage their children to read, he urged.

Shah Farrukh, AIOU librarian, said the basic aim of the walk was to encourage teachers and students to appreciate the value of book-reading.