Government Working on National Book Promotion Policy – Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey

New Delhi: A two-day national seminar was organized by the National body for book promotion and publication, National Book Trust, under Human Resource Development Ministry to coincide with the 60 Years programme of the Trust.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, Minister of State of Human Resource Development said that the Government of India is working on finalizing a National Book Promotion Policy, which will take care of providing a policy direction to the whole spectrum of book publication, writing and distribution in order to promote a culture of reading in the society. Shri Pandey emphasized on the significant role being played by National Book Trust, India in creating a culture of reading and re-affirmed the commitment of the Government of India to support its endeavors to meet its avowed objectives.

While deliberating on the theme of the seminar, Dr. Pandey said, “Nationalism is an integral part of Indian literature.” In his address, Shri Pandey said that geographically India is surrounded by sea from three sides and its boundaries are open. We have been attacked several times by foreign invaders since ancient times and for about 200 years we were ruled by the British, even then we were able to preserve our culture and literature. He added that we are moving ahead in empowering India because of wisdom provided by our ancient texts and sense of nationalism in our literature. He added that the importance of printed books will not diminish.

Shri Rangahari, well-known author and thinker, was the chief speaker on the occasion. He said that nationalism was an important component of Indian literature since Vedic times.

Shri Baldeo Bhai Sharma, Chairman, NBT, in his Welcome address said that NBT has been working towards the promotion of books among people of India.

On this occasion NBT books in Hindi tiled Aapki Sehat, authored by Dr Vijay Mittal and Dr Shyama Prasad: Ek Shikshak, authored by Ms Namrata Sharma were also released.

The first session of the seminar focused on the tribal literature of India. The session was presided over by Prof. Nand Kishore Pande, Kendriya Hindi Sansthan. The other speakers on the occasion were: prof. T V Kattimani, Shri Ashok Bhagat and Shri Rudra Narayan Panigrahi. During the discussion, the speakers accepted the fact that the tribal literature is coming out of its boundaries and is now becoming a part of the mainstream.

The second session reflected upon the folk literature of India. The speakers on the occasion were Shri Yatindra Mishra, Shriram Parihar and Ms Malini Awasthi. The session was presided over by Dr Devendra Deepak. Sharing their views on the folk literature of India, they observed that the folk literature and culture of India has been preserved because of oral tradition of India. The folk songs, the folktales have now merged with the mainstream. They remarked that different culture, rituals, traditions of different regions of India together form one India.

“ Women writers have played a significant role in the awakening of India,” observed the speakers at the third session of the seminar. The speakers on the occasion included well-known writers – Dr Neerja Madhav, Dr Reeta Shukl, Dr Advaita Kala and Ms Malti Joshi. They said that women writers like Subhadra Kumari Chauhan, Mahadevi Verma through their writings on nationalism tried to awaken the people of India.