Since 1995, World Book Day has been observed globally on April 23rd under the sponsorship of the United Nations and UNESCO. The day is dedicated to promoting literacy among the public worldwide and raising awareness about the rights of books and publishing.
World Book Day is celebrated on April 23 in most countries around the world to raise awareness about the significance of this day. However, Great Britain and America celebrate World Book Day on March 4.
Throughout history, books have held great significance in our society, as evidenced by the strong affection many individuals have for them. One such individual was the late Latif-uz-Zaman Khan of Multan, who had amassed an extensive collection of books on the subject of Ghalib. I vividly recall visiting his home and observing the hundreds of books that he had carefully adorned with paper covers. Each book was meticulously catalogued with information regarding its location and how to access it at any time. As a bibliophile himself, Mr. Khan's book registry was a joy to behold.
It is said that the late Kali Das Gupta Raza also possessed a collection on Ghalib, but since he resided in Bombay, I was unable to visit him. I firmly believe that reading books is a noble virtue and beholding them is akin to worship. I have been fortunate enough to embark on extensive journeys to visit books and have been awestruck by what I have encountered. The primary purpose of my excursions has been to observe the condition and whereabouts of books left behind by our forebears. In some locations, the books have been immaculately preserved and carefully arranged, akin to delicate brushstrokes on a canvas. In other places, books have been carelessly strewn about, walls have been ravaged by termites, or entire collections have been thrown into rivers. At one particular site, a collection of books had been sealed in plastic bags and tossed into a well. Thankfully, the staff at the Jhandir library were able to retrieve these rare books from the depths of the well, thus saving them from ruin. I have listened to mournful tales of how many collections of books were lost to fires or destroyed by floods, and I have personally witnessed such tragedies that have left me heartbroken.
The individuals of past eras were revered and often forgotten. I feel a deep admiration for them when I come across inscriptions in old books that read, "A book without the author's signature is a counterfeit." Additionally, I am moved by the ancestral exhortation inscribed in ancient books, "O King of Termites, beware! You do not know the pledge that you are breaking by consuming this book as your sustenance." There was a time when nobles and leaders embarked on lengthy journeys and carried their prized book collections with them.
During the time when the Nawabs, Rajas, and Maharajas of India held their libraries in high esteem, they amassed rare and precious books from all over the world due to their wealth. Some of the millions of books that were cast into the river by the Tartars have been preserved in the library of Patna. Similarly, partially burnt books that were set ablaze during the bonfires of great books following the Arabs' expulsion from Spain have also found their way to Rampur. Bhopal was a center of learning where I am uncertain how many books still reside in the royal palace, nor do I know if they remain secure. In the palace of Hyderabad Deccan, numerous shelves were filled with rare books, only to be subsequently destroyed. It is difficult to determine how much mourning and tears should be dedicated to these losses. I often suggest that, like us, books have their own destinies and that we may offer our prayers for their well-being.
The establishment of old book markets in certain cities of Pakistan, particularly in Karachi and Lahore, has been beneficial for books, despite any reservations one may have. Books that are undervalued and unappreciated in their households, or lack a reader, are sold at these markets. Such books find their way into the hands of those who cherish them, rather than ending up in landfills, fires, or water. Some people have created impressive collections by purchasing books from these markets. Additionally, some individuals are republishing rare books, giving them a new lease on life. Even if these individuals do not earn money from these books, they earn the blessings of people like us. Undoubtedly, those who value books, even in a modest manner, receive blessings akin to those of a dervish.
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