Vijayawada: The 34th Vijayawada Book Festival concluded at the Ketuviswanadha Reddy Sahityavedika here on Sunday. The public, including students and youth, visited book stalls in large numbers on the last day.
Poet, writer and actor Tanikella Bharani said adults have the responsibility to divert the minds of their children from “watching to reading.” Participating as the chief guest at the closing ceremony, he said, “Our ancestors have left us with an immense wealth of literature. ‘Aksharam’ means something that is indestructible.”
He said that taking a page from a book is like opening a window to the world. “The role played by the book festival in introducing books and literary values to the new generation is commendable.”
A Md Imtiaz, secretary to the Minority welfare department, said books brought happiness and development in every phase of his life. “By reading books, it is possible to accept different opinions and have mental development.”
Kantilal Dande, secretary to the tribal welfare department, said it was natural that the book festival was a great success in Vijayawada, famous for book publishing. But, it was also gratifying that there were so many people reading books these days, he said.
The volume on 'Anaganaga Karanam Kathalu' was launched. It was written by noted writer K Kalyana Krishna.
Releasing the book, transport department official, SAV Prasad said poets and writers were able to express their inner conflict in a way that appealed to everyone, and they could focus on the important and sensitive aspects of the society.
“In today's fast-paced society, the need for story writers and stories is greater than ever, but it is unfortunate that their popularity is diminishing,” he said.
Vijaya Kumar, founder of Emesco Books Pvt Ltd, organised the meeting and thanked the officials for their help in shifting the book festival from Swaraj Maidan to the government polytechnic campus.
Manohar Naidu, president of the Vijayawada Book Festival Society, thanked the people and book lovers for supporting the event even though the accommodation facilities were less this time.
The winners of the various competitions held on Pratibha Vedika were given prizes by the guests. Honorary president of the Book Festival Society Bellapu Babji and joint secretary Golla Narayana Rao participated in the meeting. Secretary K Lakshmaiah offered a vote of thanks.
