Books Are the Cornerstone of Research and Innovation: Dr. Shrinivas Mahawar

Udaipur | On the occasion of World Book Day, Dr. Shrinivas Mahawar—Founder and President of the Janmat Manch—shared his insights, stating that books act like windows that transport us to other worlds; with every new page, they introduce us to new people, new cultures, and new ideas. UNESCO observes World Book and Copyright Day to recognize the power of books as a bridge connecting generations and cultures.

World Book and Copyright Day is a global celebration dedicated to promoting knowledge, culture, and the habit of reading. This day is observed to commemorate and pay tribute to renowned authors, such as:

William Shakespeare: The greatest English playwright and poet, who passed away on April 23, 1616.
Miguel de Cervantes: The celebrated Spanish author whose novel, *Don Quixote*, is considered a masterpiece of world literature.
Inca Garcilaso de la Vega: A renowned Spanish historian and writer.

April 23 also marks the anniversaries of other distinguished literary figures, including Vladimir Nabokov, Maurice Druon, Halldór Laxness, and Manuel Mejía Vallejo.

UNESCO first officially designated April 23 as World Book Day in 1995. Its primary objectives are to foster a love for reading, to honor books and authors, and to protect intellectual property rights through copyright laws.

Books not only impart knowledge but also help alleviate stress and give wings to our imagination. On the occasion of World Book and Copyright Day, a "World Book Capital" is selected annually by UNESCO in collaboration with international organizations representing the key sectors of the book industry—publishers, booksellers, and libraries. The selected city promotes books and reading among people of all age groups and from all walks of life, both within the host country and beyond its borders.
To date, UNESCO has designated 26 World Book Capitals, ranging from Madrid, Spain, in 2001 to Rabat, Morocco, in 2026.
Book fairs are organized in Delhi and various other states with the objective of promoting the habit of reading.
Speaking on this occasion, the Forum's Secretary, Shirish Nath Mathur, stated that books serve as vehicles of knowledge that bridge generations, preserve the memories of civilizations, and provide direction to society. In the current digital era, there is a pressing need to make knowledge accessible and inclusive—an environment where language acts not as a barrier, but as a bridge. The government is actively striving to preserve books and manuscripts as cultural heritage assets, thereby contributing to the process of nation-building. Students are urged to engage with quality literature and, through such engagement, aspire to reach the pinnacles of research and scholarship.
Sharing his insights on the subject, Joint Secretary Dr. Priyadarshi Ojha remarked that books constitute our collective heritage; therefore, we must preserve them and utilize them as a medium to impart knowledge to future generations.
Assistant Secretary Vinod Kumar Chaudhary, Treasurer Vishal Mathur, Dr. Kunal Ameta, Azad Meena, and Dharmendra Kumar Verma also expressed their views, emphasizing that books introduce us to new worlds, cultures, and ideas; consequently, this day serves as an inspiration for us to acquire and share knowledge.