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The
book day was organised by the National Book Foundation (NBF) in
collaboration with Pakistan Academy of Letters, National Language
Authority, Iqbal Academy, Federal Directorate of Education, Federal
Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE), literary
organizations Imkan, Aaina, Zavia, Halqa Arbab-e-Zauq, Idara
Adab-o-Saqafat, Danish, and Pakistan Library Association.The
Prime Minister's Advisor on Education Sardar Assef Ahmad Ali
inaugurated the ceremony.
A number of colourful and interesting programmes were
organised on that day, including ‘book march’, book fairs, book flag
hoisting, oath-taking, and book reading festival.
It is for the first time in the history of Pakistan
that a day in the life of the nation was dedicated to book to
highlight the importance of reading in the
economic, cultural and intellectual advancement of the country.
Leading
publishers, booksellers throughout the country offered books at
reduced prices ranging from 40 per cent to 50pc to buyers on the
occasion.
National Book Foundation Managing-Director Mazhar ul
Islam
urged people to join
hands with the NBF in its fight against ignorance, illiteracy,
extremism and promotion of book reading for the enrichment of our
social, cultural and intellectual life and strengthening the cause
of peace, harmony and tolerance in society.
He also urged book lovers to promote the book culture
by popularizing the tradition of giving books as gifts on special
occasions like birthdays, Mothers, Fathers Days and Friendship days,
weddings, Eids, Christmas, Divali, and other religious and cultural
festivals as token of love and regard to loved ones.
“Let all public and official places exhibit
promotional texts and pictures to induce people to inculcate the
reading habit. Let us all love, cherish and celebrate books not just
as sources of knowledge and wisdom but for their own sake too, as
man’s lifelong friend and loyal companion of solitude,” he said.
The participants of the ceremony promised solemnly upon oath that
would read a book daily and promote the reading habit. Sardar Assef
Ahmad Ali at the occasion said that all children must have access to
books including the handicapped who must be provided appropriate
reading material for their mental enrichment. He said reading
material must be pleasurable and fun for the children. Film Star
Reema Khan was a big attraction at the book reading festival. The
book reading session was also crowded where 30 literary icons
regaled the audience by reading selections from great masters.
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