World Book Day is a celebration of books, authors, and illustrators but most importantly, it is the celebration of reading. This day is celebrated on 23rd April every year, which is organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote reading, publishing, and copyright.
World Book Day was first celebrated on 23rd April 1995, as it is a date for world literature. Cervantes, Shakespeare, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega died on this date in 1616. Many other prominent authors, such as Maurice Druon, Haldor K Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla, and Mejia Vallejo were born or died on this date.
World Book Day is celebrated to provide people with many ideas and plans to make them aware of the situation and condition in the World. World Book Day is celebrated to provide the people to gather knowledge about many types of Books, which makes them get the specific knowledge about their requirements.
World Book Day is celebrated to make the people increase their knowledge about various things in the World, which many of the people don’t know. The day is celebrated to provide people with many ideas and plans to make them aware of the situation and condition in the World.
It works on encouraging a love of reading in young people of all ages. Because reading is exciting. Reading is fun. Reading is cool. There is nothing quite like the thrill of opening a book and being drawn into another world to meet new people and to discover their stories – it’s like making new friends.
Books are our best friends. Books not only are our friends but also a good philosopher, guide and serve the purpose of a good companion whenever needed. The whole world is struggling to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. Now more than ever, at a time when globally most schools are closed and people are having to limit time spent out of their homes, the power of books can be leveraged to combat isolation, to reinforce ties between people, and to expand our horizons, while stimulating our minds and creativity.
Almost everyone is utilising this lockdown period in reading books while staying put at home. Even Libraries are celebrating World Book & Copyright Day in spite of COVID-19.
In response to today’s situation a virtual symposium was orgainsed to promote the power of reading, which is leveraged more than ever at a time of lockdown. The symposium was organised by Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), Greater Noida & Post Graduate Government College for Girls – 42, Chandigarh in collaboration with Ranganathan Society for Social Welfare and Library Development on the theme – Value of Books in Life.
In total nine speakers from various fields shared their views.
Prtap Faujdar 
Dr. H Chaturvedi 
Dr. Sharad
Dr H. Chaturvedi, Director, BIMTECH in his inaugural speech spoke that books are very important in today’s situation. He expressed his happiness how World Book Day generates so much excitement and enthusiasm.
Geetanjali Mittal from Minneapolis MN, USA shared her personal journey of life and told the participants how books helped her in every walk of life. International Shooter Anjum Moudgil told how books help sportspersons to overcome stress and anxiety.
Stand-up comedian Pratap Faujdar makes everyone laugh in his talk. He shared how reading books can help to make life joyful and easy.
Parmila Vajpayee who is an activist stressed on how reading is important for those people who are very nervous about their activities and they want to achieve their goal in their life.
J. S. Rajput, Former Director, NCERT said that it is quite important for people to learn only good things from the people to manage and handle every task by performing good deeds.
Dr Narendra Nath Laha who is doctor by profession said people who read books always remain positive as the content always remains in their subconscious mind. He stressed upon the use of a dictionary.
Dr D. V. Singh, Former University Librarian suggested that everyone should read at least 20 pages daily, in this way one can read at least one book a month and 12 books in a year. Reading is always upon the world and improves thinking skills.
Dr Sharad Kulshrestha, IPS, Additional IG, Prisons despite his busy schedule found time to share his views on how books can play a very important role in making good citizens.
The sessions were viewed by more than 5000 participants. The symposium was well taken by the participants and all the sessions were very interactive. Organizing team consisted of Dr Rishi Tiwari, Chief Librarian, BIMTECH, Greater Noida and Dr Preeti Sharda, Librarian, PGGCG-42, Chandigarh.
