HYDERABAD: Book reading habits need to be created among students and people belonging to different segments of society because this is a habit that helps ideological growth of people.

This was the common view of speakers at the inaugural ceremony of a book fair organised by the Al-Mehran Foundation, Sanghar, at the Govt Mohammad Dawood Memon High School, Matiari, on Monday. The event will continue till Feb 8.

Matiari Deputy Commissioner Fayaz Hussain Abbasi said book reading created awareness among people and enabled them to play their role in building a strong society. Students and other members of society got an opportunity through such book fairs to ensure their ideological growth, he added.

The DC said books were an important source of knowledge in this era of technology. He said that only books could eradicate terrorism, injustices and social disparities. He said the district administration extended its full cooperation for such book fairs which would continue in future as well.

A literary figure, Prof Qalandar Shah Lakyari, said this kind of activity always promoted tolerance, harmony and love to put an end to hatred. Such fairs created a habit among people of book reading which eventually ensured development of nation and the country, he said. He said teachers should take maximum benefit of these book fairs and encourage their students to visit the events.

Writer Jami Chandio said this book fair proved that people of Sindh were socially aware.

He appreciated the efforts of the deputy commissioner for holding it. According to him, the DC is following in the footsteps of bureaucrats Hassan Ali Effendi and Hyder Bux Jatoi to make efforts for development of the people of Sindh.

Senior journalist G.N. Mughal said book fairs should be organised at taluka and school levels to promote book reading.

He said students and parents should bring their children to the book fair and provide them information about books that were on display.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2015

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