Assam Governor attends and inaugurates 3rd National Barpeta Book and Science Fair
Printed books to continue influence minds and carry civilizational values: Governor
Guwahati, Rongili Barta- Assam Governor Shri Gulab Chand Kataria inaugurated the 3rd National Barpeta Book and Science Fair at Barpeta. Speaking at the inaugural function, the Governor said that he felt happy to inaugurate and attend the book and science fair at Barpeta. He said, “Since ages Bharat is known for its Gyan and Vigyan. I acknowledge and salute all the writers, poets, litterateurs who have contributed immensely to the enrichment of literature. Most of our cultural traditions and values also came from reading books.” The Governor said, “Book and Science Fair is an important event to rekindle the intellectuality of mankind. Moreover, when scientific knowledge is imparted through fairs, it encourages people, especially students, to read books and increase their understanding and knowledge of science”. The Governor said that the objective of book and science fair should be to educate and encourage students and individuals to conceptualize, discover, innovate and experiment. “I am confident that this book fair will make an important contribution in increasing young minds’ understanding of the world of science and their curiosity to know about the scientific method and in promoting scientific temperament and knowledge,” the Governor added. Shri Kataria, moreover said that the book and science fair is not just an event, it is an occasion for intellectual discussions. The Governor also urged upon all to buy books as per their capacity. He said that children should be given books and the habits of reading should be inculcated in them as this would enable them to gain knowledge of the ever-changing landscape of science and technology. Highlighting that the 21st century is the century of science and technology, the Governor said that without adequate thrust on science and technology, a country cannot progress. Stating that the economic growth of any country depends on the development of science and technology, the Governor said that India has the third largest scientific workforce in the world which has contributed to the emergence of India as the fifth largest of economy of the world. The Governor, therefore, said, “It is very important that every student of the country gains ever-increasing knowledge of science and technology and its manifestations in the form of innovations, new inventions, new technologies etc. I am sure the book and science fair is a very good platform which arouses curiosity and rekindles creatively among the students and attracts them to explore and learn new things and explore new world, the Governor exhorted. Shri Kataria on the occasion expressed his hope that irrespective of explosion of digital medium, printed books will always remain relevant. It is encouraging that irrespective of their busy schedule, people take out time from their busy schedules and visit book fair, buy books and read them. “It is a positive sign, which makes us strongly believe that printed books will never disappear in the face of proliferation of digital world. Printed books have been inspiring generations of people to shape civilizations and carry civilizational values. Each generation has taken the responsibility of passing its love and respect for books to the next generation”, Shri Kataria added. The Governor also mentioned and paid his tributes to the distinguished litterateurs born in Barpeta, like Ambikagiri Roy Choudhary, Dr. Banikanta Kakati and Prasannalal Chaudhary. He also mentioned of Guruprasad Das, the inventor of railway vacuum brake, and the great scientist Dr. Kishori Mohan Pathak. Minister of P&RD Ranjit Kumar Das, Education Advisor to the Government of Assam Prof. Nani Gopal Mahanta , eminent literateur Anuradha Sharma Pujari along with a host of other dignitaries attended the book and science fair.