The sharpest of bullets burns out but the smallest of words rules for ever
Shaadaab S. Bakht
Shaadaab S. Bakht, who worked for famous Indian dailies The Telegraph, The Pioneer, The Sentinel and wrote political commentaries for Tehelka.com, is Gulf Today’s Executive Editor.
- 02 May 2019
ON SHARJAH READING FESTIVAL
All wars begin in the mind. They include the war to answer hunger and thirst, to satiate dreams, to win over love, to ensure harmony and, of course, the most sought-after, which is also the most difficult, to conquer happiness.
Life’s blueprint is shaped by our thoughts and our thoughts by our books. In other words, we are what we read. I love Thomas Hardy’s novels because they helped me become patient and tolerant. He was in many ways a pessimist, which had a clear advantage. It is the only view of life that never leaves one disappointed. Every time it turns cloudy I tell myself, “The sun anyway was never an influential part of my life.” I don’t crib, give myself a canine jerk and continue my walk. The destination that has been the same since time immemorial is obviously not going to change for me.
My deep interest in the works of Victor Hugo and John Galsworthy gave me a rare insight into law and how it could be occasionally manipulated. Again, the philosophies of Jean Paul Sartre and Albert Camus reinforced my settled hatred for materialism.
Therefore, Sharjah’s unflinching effort to encourage reading among children and adults is an enormous step in the right direction. That’s because the power that flows out of knowledge, unlike the gun, never dies
Therefore, Sharjah’s unflinching effort to encourage reading among children and adults is an enormous step in the right direction. That’s because the power that flows out of knowledge, unlike the gun, never dies. The sharpest of bullets burns out but the smallest of words rules for ever.
The emirate welcomed over 200,000 visitors to the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival 2019 that concluded on Saturday.
The 11-day celebration of books, culture and knowledge was organised by Sharjah Book Authority and held under the directives of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs. They believe, and rightly so, that building strong generations takes instilling knowledge in them from an early age.
Sheikh Sultan unveiled last week the Sharjah World Book Capital 2019 Monument. The 36.5-metre high sculpture is inspired by an ancient scroll design that represented the lasting power of books and how reading shares a strong purpose of uniting and informing people.
Agreed, the fruits of reading are not instant. They are gradual but definite. They are intangible but invincible. Reading does call for a lot of commitment, but it’s a deal where you are always the winner.
