Granthotsav: Nagpur Book Festival Highlights Role of Literature and Libraries in Shaping Readers

Nagpur: The Nagpur Granthotsav, a two-day literary event, concluded with thought-provoking discussions on the importance of literature and libraries in shaping a progressive reading culture.
Organised at Amey Hall, Vidarbha Sahitya Sangh, in collaboration with the Directorate of Libraries and District Library Office on March 11-12, the festival brought together renowned writers, critics, and literary scholars.
The festival was inaugurated by senior writer VS Jog, who emphasised the need for books that challenge class and caste ideologies, encouraging debate, counter-protest, and communication among readers.
"Books are a reflection of society. Writers should not merely document social realities but should actively engage in movements that shape them," he said.
Jog highlighted the contributions of great Marathi writers such as Sane Guruji, VinDa Karandikar, and Vasant Bapat, noting that literature should inspire intellectual and social transformation.
The event began with a Granth Pujan ceremony at the Seva Sadan Educational Institute in Sitabuldi, led by Zilla Parishad Education Officer (Secondary) Rohini Kumbhar.
On the first day, a symposium was held on "75 Years of the Indian Constitution", where Nagpur University's political science head Vikas Jambhulkar, principal Mahendra Meshram, thinker Ravindra Rukhmini Pandharinath, and social activist advocate Atul Sonak explored the role of literature in upholding constitutional values. This was followed by a one-act play "Mee Ramai Boltey" by Manjushree Dongre, which was well received by the audience.
On the second day, discussions focused on the role of literature and libraries in shaping readers. Rajendra Naikwade, head of the Marathi department at Binjhani Nagar College, emphasised that attracting readers is a writer's responsibility, while libraries play a crucial role in making rich literature accessible. He stressed that a strong reading culture leads to societal progress. Librarian Nitin Naigaonkar highlighted the need for libraries to modernise, adapting to new reading habits. District information officer Vinod Rapatwar and Librarian Vijay Khandale also spoke on the significance of libraries in nurturing a well-informed society.
The festival concluded with a one-act play "Vhay, Mee Savitri Boltey" by Puja Pimpalkar. The closing ceremony was presided over by Senior Treasury Officer Monali Bhoyar and attended by charitable trustees Deputy Commissioner Kishore Masne, Vidarbha Sahitya Sangh General Secretary Vilas Manekar, Senior police inspector Vitthal Singh Rajput, acting Director of Rajaram Sitaram Dixit Library Anil Chanakhekar, and Vidarbha Sahitya Sangh Library Director Prof Vivek Aloni. The inaugural session was attended by senior Treasury Officer Monali Bhoyar, Vidarbha Sahitya Sangh president Pradeep Date, Poet Tirtharaj Kapgate, Prof Rajendra Munde, State Library Sangh president Dr Gajanan Kotewar, and Rajaram Sitaram Dixit Library President Rituja Gadkari.
The two-day festival successfully highlighted the importance of literature in shaping social thought and the evolving role of libraries in promoting reading habits. The discussions and performances reinforced the need for literature that challenges conventional ideas and inspires intellectual discourse, ensuring that books continue to serve as a medium for awareness and change.