VC Khoumbhati emphasizes book culture; Senator Dhamrah encourages youth to read
Three-day book fair inaugurated at Sindh University
VC Khoumbhati emphasizes book culture; Senator Dhamrah encourages youth to read
JAMSHORO: A three-day literary and educational Book Fair organized by the Institute of Sindhology and Allama I.I. Kazi Central Library commenced at the University of Sindh (SU) on Wednesday, drawing a large number of students, faculty members and book enthusiasts.
The Vice-Chancellor of Sindh University Professor Dr. Khalil-ur-Rehman Khoumbhati along with former PPP Senator Aajiz Dhamrah inaugurated the grand event, which is aimed at promoting a reading culture among students and faculty members.
Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Abdul Sattar Shah, Registrar Prof. Dr. Mushtaque Ali Jariko, Director Institute of Sindhology Ghulam Murtaza Siyal, Chief Librarian Allama I.I. Kazi Central Library Pir Bux Bajeer, Pro-Vice Chancellor SU Thatta Campus Prof. Dr. Misbah Bibi Qureshi, Professor Umeed Ali Rind, Sajid Qayoom Memon, Dr Ghulam Saqib Buriro, Engr Sajjad Hussain Shah, Manzoor Ali Panhwar, Dr Shahmurad Chandio, Dr Irfan Shaikh, Dr Ghulam Ali Buriro, Salma Shailh, Dr Niaz Ahmed Bhutto, Dr Asif Ali Jamali and several other senior faculty members and officials attended the opening ceremony
The book fair features 45 large stalls set up by renowned publishers from Hyderabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi, showcasing books on diverse subjects, including Agronomy, Entomology, English Linguistics, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Soil Sciences, Engineering, Pharmacy, Plant Breeding & Genetics, Horticulture, Food Sciences, Literature, History, Arts, Poetry, Sports, Travelogues and more.
Organizers informed the Vice-Chancellor and the Senator that nearly 120,000 books were available at the fair, with many titles being sold at discounted rates of up to 50%, making them accessible to students and researchers.
After inaugurating the event, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalil-ur-Rehman Khoumbhati visited various stalls, interacted with publishers and expressed his appreciation for their participation.
Speaking on the occasion, he emphasized the significance of books in the intellectual and academic development of students.
"The restoration of book culture is my mission. I want our students to befriend books because knowledge gained through reading is long-lasting and invaluable," he remarked.
While acknowledging the role of technology, he advised students to strike a balance between digital tools and traditional book reading.
"The importance of mobile phones and the internet in this modern era cannot be ignored, but I firmly believe that true success comes from books. A book is a mentor, a guide and a lifelong friend," he added.
"Students should take full advantage of this opportunity. Apart from the 50% discount, some stalls are selling books for as low as Rs. 100, 200 and 300. This shows that knowledge is being made available at extremely affordable prices."
Encouraging faculty members to enrich their departmental libraries, he stated that he had invited all department heads and advised them to purchase books for their seminar libraries. “The more books we have, the more knowledge we can share with our students," he said.
The Vice-Chancellor also expressed his happiness at the overwhelming participation of students and said that "I am delighted to see so many students and book lovers here today. This is proof that books still hold value despite the distractions of the digital world," he said.
In addition to promoting book culture, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Khoumbhati announced that an orientation day for new students would be held on Thursday (tomorrow) to welcome the fresh batch of students.
He also shared his vision for a greener campus, revealing that the university is set to plant over 10,000 saplings from Friday to mid-March.
"Our university is not only dedicated to academic excellence but also to environmental sustainability. Through our plantation drive, we will ensure a green and eco-friendly campus for future generations," he stated.
Addressing the gathering, former Senator and leader Pakistan People's Party Aajiz Dhamrah lauded the efforts of the University of Sindh for organizing the book fair and providing students with an opportunity to access quality books at discounted rates.
He urged students to develop a habit of reading and use books as a tool for personal and professional growth.
"The students standing before me today are the future leaders of this country. It is their responsibility to equip themselves with knowledge as they will be the ones holding the reins of this nation tomorrow," he stated.
While acknowledging the impact of mobile phones and the internet, he emphasized that books remain irreplaceable. "Technology has turned the world into a global village, but the essence of books cannot be replaced. Books shape minds, build perspectives and provide wisdom that no digital platform can match," he said.
He encouraged students to make reading a lifelong habit. "I urge all students to buy books from this fair and read them carefully. Knowledge gained through reading is an asset that no one can take away from you," he said.
The book fair witnessed an overwhelming response on the first day, with students, faculty members and book lovers eagerly exploring the stalls. Publishers expressed their satisfaction with the turnout and noted that the enthusiasm for books remains strong despite the dominance of digital media.
Earlier, Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr. Abdul Sattar Shah and Director Institute of Sindhology Ghulam Murtaza Siyal also addressed the gathering. He welcomed the audience and highlighted the significance of the event.
The three-day book fair will continue until February 28, 2025, offering students and faculty members a valuable opportunity to explore and purchase books at affordable prices.
