Bhubaneswar: Literature has the power to transport people into other dimensions and provide them with an escape, said noted writer and literary critic Chandrahas Choudhury here on Friday.
Delivering a talk on ‘the pleasure and power of reading’ at Department of English of Rama Devi Women’s University, Choudhury emphasised upon the importance of reading and described how time and space and are erased when we get completely immersed in it. He urged everyone to carry a book with them and to read regularly. Choudhury asked the students whether they pursued literature by chance or by choice and said he was happy to see the enthusiasm of students and their attitude towards reading. He advised the students to make the most of their reading privilege and suggested that they should read at least 40 books in the next ten years.
The university’s chairperson of post-graduate council Prof Chandi Charan Rath threw light on the importance of being organised and how acquiring knowledge through intensive reading has become crucial in modern times.
Head of department of English Dr Manisha Mishra shared her thoughts on how reading has changed over the years and how we no longer travel with books as a companion. “Social media has a great impact on our lives, adversely affecting our reading habit,” she noted.
Visiting Professor of Central University of Odisha and noted translator Prof Himanshu Mohapatra spoke briefly about his translated work ‘Following my heart’.
Prof Madhusmita Pati introduced the guests while Dr Itishree Sarangi proposed the vote of thanks.
