Bhubaneswar, Dec 7: Book is the most precious gift. Gifting a book or receiving a book as gift, is a better experience in someone’s life that ultimately illuminates the person’s body, mind and spirit, said Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday.
While inaugurating the 7th Odisha State Level Book fair at the Unit 3 exhibition ground in Bhubaneswar, Majhi urged readers, youths and students to purchase books to read, inculcate and gift them to friends and relatives at need. Meanwhile, he also resolved to make books as all-time gifts in almost every occasion.
Expressing his inclination & weakness towards books, the CM said, he has collected at least 6,000 books in his personal library and preserved them with care.
“I read them at times to expand knowledge, insights and wit”, the CM added while outlining book as one of the best friends in someone’s life.
After inaugurating the event, the Chief Minister visited several stalls, purchased books, and offered floral tributes at the pavilion honouring ace literary figures.
Addressing the audience, Jnanpith Award winner Dr. Pratibha Ray said that manuscripts or books are the best friends of mankind as they enlighten the self within and guides civilization go ahead.
Several new books were launched during the programme, including ‘Operation Sindoor’ by Col. Sarat Mahapatra, ‘De’ by Dr. Panchanan Nayak, ‘Murchhita Moksha’ by Badri Mahapatra, ‘Jhara Shravana’ by Bimala Singh, ‘Odia Shishu Sahitya Kichhi Paryalochana’ by Dash Benhur, and publications of Odia Bhasha Pratisthan and Odisha Sahitya Akademi.
Worth mentioning the book fest 2025 will continue for 12-days and will conclude on December 17.This time the ground features 550 stalls and special pavilions dedicated to eminent Odia personalities.
