Reading good books nurtures brain, broadens mind: DC Pulwama

Pampore: A mega book exhibition was organized by the Government Degree College Pampore at the Multipurpose Hall of the college on Tuesday.
Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Dr Basharat Qayoom, presided over the event as the chief guest, with Additional Deputy Commissioner Awantipora, Zaffar Husson Shawl, Tehsildar Pampore, Zuber Ahmad Bhat, and SDPO Pampore, Krishan Rattan, as guests of honour.
Faculty members of GDC Pampore and other officials of various colleges of Pulwama district.
A significant number of students from GDC Pampore, various colleges of the Pulwama district and GDC adopted School Khruncoo Pampore participated in this mega book exhibition, GDC officials told Kashmir Reader.
The book exhibition was inaugurated by Chief Guest DC Pulwama, Dr. Basharat Qayoom, in the presence of Principal GDC Pampore, Prof. Dr. Huda Galzai, other guests and college faculty members.
The DC Pulwama visited the book exhibition stalls and examined some of the books. Around 25 publishers and vendors took part in the exhibition, showcasing over 15 thousand books on different themes. He also interacted with students of Government Upper Primary School Krunchoo Pampore adopted by GDC Pampore under My School My Pride.
Dr Basharat congratulated the college for organising such an event. He said that reading good books nurtures the brain and broadens the individual mind. He further emphasized that the students should inculcate the habit of reading books that will make them aware of the day-to-day affairs of the social world. He said that if you do not like reading you have not found a good book.
He also focused on e-books and stressed that students and teachers should utilize all the resources available to them both in electronic and offline modes.
Principal of the college Prof. Dr Huda Galzai in her welcome address congratulated the organising committee of the college for such a grand book exhibition. She said this book exhibition reflects the endeavour of the college to bring learning sources together. She mentioned that books help us to enlighten our souls and guide us in the day-to-day affairs of life.
Moreover, she said that this grand exhibition is meant to inculcate the spirit of book reading among students and faculty members. She encouraged students to read books and discern the difference between narratives about social and political life. She said the book exhibition is an occasion to celebrate knowledge by encouraging the students towards library culture and book readings.
Prof. Hilal Ahmad Bakshi presented the vote of thanks and congratulated the principal and the organising staff for such an exhibition. He also thanked Deputy Commissioner Pulwama for sparing his precious time for the exhibition. He also thanked the other invited guests of the exhibition.
Talking to Kashmir Reader, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama said that GDC Pampore frequently hosts events, especially on national and important days. Today, they organized a mega-book exhibition with the primary goal of promoting reading habits among our students and other young individuals beyond the curriculum.
“I congratulate the principal of GDC Pampore and the entire faculty for organizing such a programme, ” he said.
Talking to Kashmir Reader, Principal GDC Pampore, Prof. Dr. Huda Galzai said that it is necessary for any college to purchase books for the library. “Our local empanelled publishers expressed a desire to set up an exhibition, and I suggested that instead of a common one, we should organize a book exhibition specifically for our college. They agreed, and we succeeded in organizing the exhibition today,” she said.
“The main purpose of this exhibition was to address the decreasing reading habits among students. It’s important to emphasize the importance of books, even in this age of online resources, no matter how many browsing centres or Google searches one does and reading hard copy books remains crucial,” she added.
Around 25 publishers had set up their exhibition stalls, showcasing approximately 25,000 books related to their subjects and syllabus. They also displayed reference books. Additionally, they exhibited books for extra reading to encourage students to develop reading habits that will benefit them in their future endeavours. The event was a great success, and our Deputy Commissioner Sahab attended and inaugurated the mega exhibition and other guests, including the ADC Awantipora, Tehsildar Pampore and SDPO Pampore also visited the book exhibition stalls.

BILAL HABIB