Books our Best Friends

By: Prerna Sharma

“Books are the carriers of civilization. Without books history is silent, literature dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a standstill.”

Celebrated on 23^rd of April, World Book Day seeks to promote reading amongst the youngsters and to gain a renewed respect for the irreplaceable contributions of those who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity. 23^rd April is also considered as a symbolic date in world literature as on this date in the year of 1616 died Shakespeare- whose writing contained more actual wisdom than the whole body of English learning. This coincidently happens to be his birth anniversary as well.

To commemorate this event the British Library, Sector-9 Chandigarh organized several competitions which took place on the 22^nd and 23^rd of April. The competitions organized were Dress as your favourite book character, Book mark designing, draw your favourite Shakespeare character and a debate competition.

The Carmel girls this time also shone brightly. They bagged 4 prizes in all the competitions. Maria Joseph stood 1^st in the Fancy Dress Competition, Prerna Sharma of class 9 came 2^nd in draw you’re your favourite Shakespeare character and Jaisha Garg and Meghna Bhasin stood 3^rd in the book mark designing and debate competition respectively.

The chief guest Mrs. Sumita Mishra honoured the prize distribution ceremony with her noble ideas. She said that books are works of art and science and vehicles for ideas. They magnificently materialize creative diversity, generate universal knowledge and contribute inter cultural dialogue.

“Books improve our knowledge about others and of their philosophies and therefore enhance our understanding of the world. They also provide development opportunities for all ages and in particular for young people.” said a parent present at the event.

On 23^rd April 2010 let us celebrate every aspect of books across the world and recognize them as instruments of peace.