Srinagar, June 4: The National Book Trust of India (NBT) Book Fair at SP College here Monday saw some high-profile customers: Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Geelani, Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF Chief Muhammad Yasin Malik. The presence of top separatist leadership at the Book Fair, inaugurated by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah two days back, took many an observers and publishers by surprise.
 First to visit the Book Fair on Monday was Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. During a round of the stalls, the Mirwaiz purchased a number of books.
 Taking to Greater Kashmir, Umar said the youth of J&K must grab the opportunity of visiting the Book Fair and purchase different books. “The youth must come forward to read books. The Book Fair has a variety of books on varied subjects. I believe it is a good opportunity for all the book-lovers and youth to have books on subjects of their choice,” Mirwaiz said.
 On seeing a number of youth there, the Mirwaiz said “I am glad that youngsters have a habit of reading books in this digital age. I bought books on Kashmir History, Islamic Literature, Rajtarangni, Shahab Nama.”
 Next to visit the Book Fair was Muhammad Yasin Malik. Malik appealed the youngsters to read books “for better tomorrow.” “Reading is an important aspect of life,” he said. “It makes a person rich within.”
 Finally, the Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Geelani arrived at the Book Fair.
 Talking to media-persons, Geelani urged the youth to read Urdu literature to understand Islamic teachings. “There is a vast religious literature in South Asia which is available in Urdu. We should promote this language. If our young generation remains cut-off from Urdu it means they will be away from religious education. People particularly the youth should read books in Urdu on Islamic literature. There is such literature available in English as well but it is very less.”
 Geelani said “It is the policy of the Government to keep young generation away from religious education.” “We have to counter it by reading Urdu literature,” he said.
 Geelani criticized the government for not publicizing the event properly. “The stall owners complained of poor publicity. Lot of them have come from Delhi.  They should also earn. The Government should have publicized event properly,” he said.
 Scores of publishers particularly from Delhi gifted books to Geelani. Geelani purchased about 30 books mostly on History of Kashmir, Sharia and Law. He also bought a book on Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah and Oxford English Dictionary.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 4 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 4 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 5 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST