Srinagar, July 17: Governor N. N. Vohra has underscored the need for effective revival of reading habit and promotion of best books on various subjects and languages.  
 The Governor who was the Chief Guest, made the remarks after inaugurating the week long book exhibition organized by the National Book Trust India, in collaboration with Urdu Academy Jammu Kashmir at the SP College here last evening.
 On the occasion, the Governor stressed the need for giving adequate importance for the promotion of Urdu and other languages. He urged the National Book Trust to publish the notes in Urdu which were exchanged between the then Education Minister, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, and other eminent leaders during the debates in the Constituent Assembly and Parliament.
 “These useful books which were brought out by the Trust in the earlier years and are no longer available. They should be republished,” he said
 Referring to his several meetings with the functionaries of Urdu Academy Jammu Kashmir, the Governor, who is the Chancellor of the Kashmir and Jammu Universities, said that he would soon be having a meeting with the Ministers for Higher Education and School Education, VC of Kashmir and Jammu Universities, besides representatives of the Urdu Academy, to discuss ways and means for promotion of Urdu language in the State.
 “Perhaps no more than a symbolic gesture, the Raj Bhavan has had all the sign boards in its Secretariat also written in Urdu,” he said.
  The Governor complimented the National Book Trust and Urdu Academy for organizing the Book Exhibition and hoped that a large number of people would visit it and buy the books on sale. He also released three books, one each in English, Urdu and Hindi, published by the Trust on this occasion.
 Earlier, the Minister for School Education, Peerzada Muhammad Sayeed said that books are very important companions of any individual and these have no substitute for acquiring knowledge. He said that all out efforts are being made to promote reading culture in the State and called upon the intellectuals, academicians and writers to supplement these efforts to secure the desired results.
  The State Chief Information Commissioner, G. R. Sufi said that language is not only a medium of expression but it represents the cultural heritage of the people. Referring to Urdu language, he said that all the communities in the country have contributed towards its growth and promotion. He added that Urdu is not only official language but also a link language of the State.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 17 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 17 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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