GUEST COLUMN: “Celebrating the power of reading” on WORLD BOOK DAY- Puri

Jaswant Puri/royalpatiala.in News/ April 23,2026

World Book Day, observed every year on April 23, is a global celebration of books, authors, and the joy of reading. Established by UNESCO, this day highlights the importance of literature in shaping minds, preserving culture, and promoting education. In 2026, World Book Day continues to inspire people of all ages to discover the magic hidden within the pages of books.

SLOGAN FOR 2026 : “GO ALL IN”

This slogan is part of the National Year of Reading 2026 campaign and is strongly associated with World Book Day celebrations this year.

What does “Go All In” mean?

• It encourages people to fully engage with reading

• Connect books to personal interests like sports, gaming, or hobbies

• Promote reading for pleasure, not just for study

• Inspire deeper involvement with stories and learning

In simple words, the message is:

If you love something, read more about it and dive
deeper into it through books

In other words: “If you’re into it, read into it.”

Books are more than just collections of words—they are gateways to knowledge, imagination, and creativity. From classic literature to modern stories, books allow readers to travel across time and space, experience different cultures, and understand diverse perspectives. On this day, schools, libraries, and communities organize reading events, book fairs, and storytelling sessions to encourage a lifelong love of reading.

In today’s digital age, where screens dominate our lives, World Book Day reminds us of the unique value of printed and written words. Reading not only improves language and communication skills but also enhances concentration, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. It plays a vital role in personal growth and lifelong learning.

World Book Day 2026 also emphasizes the importance of making books accessible to everyone. Efforts are made worldwide to donate books, support libraries, and promote literacy among underprivileged communities. By ensuring that everyone has access to books, we take a step toward building a more informed and empowered society.

LET US LOOK INTO SOME FAMOUS AUTHORS

GUEST COLUMN: "Celebrating the power of reading" on WORLD BOOK DAY- Puri

The Discovery of India, written by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru during his imprisonment at Ahmednagar Fort (1942–1946) and published in 1946, is a seminal work chronicling India’s history, philosophy, and cultural heritage from antiquity to the British Raj. As a masterpiece of Indian literature, it offers a deeply personal, insightful analysis of India’s unity in diversity.

Books based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s radio program “Mann Ki Baat” have been released on several occasions. Most notably, the book was released at Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 26, 2017, to mark the government’s third anniversary.Later, “Igniting Collective Goodness: Mann Ki Baat” (the third book) was launched in October 2023. In 2017, First book ‘Mann Ki Baat’ was released in the presence of former President Pranab Mukherjee. 2023: Third series of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ book launched by Amit Shah. The book highlights the country’s achievements, inspiring stories of citizens and messages from the PM.

Dr. Ajit S. Puri (left) presenting his book ‘Speaking of How to Prevent Common Diseases’ to the then Vice-President of India, Mohammed Hamid Ansari at Vice-President House, New Delhi on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, Saturday, October 13, 2007. On the extreme right is Journalist Dr. Jaswant Singh Puri.

HISTORY IN YOUR POCKET – THE TRIBUNE

Jaswant Singh Puri

Jaswant Singh Puri’s book, Rise and Decline of the Mughal Empire, provides a detailed historical account of the Mughal era in India, highlighting the reign of major emperors from Babur to Aurangzeb.

Link: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/life-style/history-in-your-pocket-641184/

Rise and Decline of Mughal Empire by Jaswant Singh Puri is being presented to His Holiness Nobel Laureate the DALAI LAMA at Meclod Ganj, Dharamshala, HP India.

Padma Shri Prof. R.L. Mittal’s authoritative book is titled “Clubfoot: A Comprehensive Approach (Past, Present, and Future)”. Published by Routledge (Taylor & Francis), This comprehensive text details epidemiology, genetics, and specialized surgical techniques relating to Clubfoot.

Noted academician and Sikh scholar Dr Rattan Singh Jaggi received his Padma Shri from President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday. The Padma Shri is awarded for distinguished service in any field. The prestigious award has been conferred upon Dr Jaggi in recognition of his enormous contribution in the field of education and literature.

Noted physician and great writer
Dr. AJIT S. PURI has written world acclaimed book ‘SPEAKING OF HOW TO PREVENT COMMON DISEASES’ with a Foreword by Lord Walton, former President British Medical Association. Also authored books on dengue, SARS and bird flu that helped in culminating the fatal epidemics of these disorders.

Link : https://royalpatiala.in/now-history-of-dera-babba-jassa-singh-book-is-available-in-english-too-dera/

This book explores about the spirituality enlightened saints that lived in the Dera in early days. The book was earlier in Punjabi and was authored by Professor Jasbir Singh, General Secretary, Dera Baba Jassa Singh. Later, the Dera published the English version of the book, translated by Jaswant Singh Puri and is now available for free of cost in the office of the Dera.

Noted historian Dr. GANDA SINGH has authored: Perspective on Guru Amar Das, 3rd Sikh Master (English, Punjabi and Hindi Edition), 1 January 1997 Third Edition.

BHAI VIR SINGH (1872–1957) was a towering 20th-century Punjabi poet, scholar, and theologian who modernized Punjabi literature and revitalized Sikh theology. Often called the “sixth river of Punjab,” he pioneered Punjabi novels, epic poetry, and journalism, promoting the Singh Sabha movement, fostering cultural pride, and founding the Punjab & Sind Bank

DALIP KAUR TIWANA (4 May 1935 – 31 January 2020) was one of the foremost novelists and short-story writer of contemporary Punjabi literature.

TARAN SINGH joined Punjabi University, Patiala in 1966, as head of the Department of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Studies. He went on missionary tours to Malaya in 1955 and Iran in 1974. In 1978 he visited U.S.S.R. to represent Sikh religion in the World Religious Conference. He wrote several books mostly on Sikh religious thought and Punjabi literature. Dr Taran Singh died at Patiala on 30 January 1981.

Professor HARBANS SINGH was a renowned Punjabi scholar, educationist, and editor-in-chief of the four-volume Encyclopaedia of Sikhism. Based at Punjabi University, Patiala, he was a pivotal figure in Sikh studies, known for his work The Heritage of the Sikhs, and for his contribution to modern Punjabi literature, promoting its culture and scholarship.

KHUSHWANT SINGH was a renowned Indian author, journalist, and lawyer celebrated for his sharp wit, satire, and honest writing on politics and social issues. Born in Hadali (now in Pakistan), he is best known for his novel Train to Pakistan and for founding/editing Yojana. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1974, which he returned in 1984 in protest.

SURJIT PATAR was a highly acclaimed Indian Punjabi poet and writer known for his profound, lyrical poetry that bridged traditional forms with modern concerns. A Punjabi University alumnus with a PhD on Guru Nanak Vani, he was a Professor of Punjabi at Punjab Agricultural University and served as President of the Punjab Sahit Academy.

IN CONCLUSION, World Book commemorates significant literary figures, including William Shakespeare, Late Jawahar Lal Nehru, Narendra Modi, Miguel de Cervantes, Dalip Kaur Tiwana, Famous physician Dr. Ajit S Puri (Patiala) also Rotarian Jaswant Singh Puri (Patiala) and a lot more. This day encourages children and adults to appreciate literature. World Book Day is not just a celebration but a movement that encourages people to read, learn, and grow. It reminds us that books have the power to change lives, inspire ideas, and create a better future for all.