Dr Kumar Vishwas, the celebrated Hindi poet, delivered a thought-provoking address at the Pune Book Festival organized by the National Book Trust. Amidst notable figures such as Vinod Tawde, General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party, and Yuvraj Malik, Director of the National Book Trust, Dr Vishwas passionately championed the boundless realm of imagination that books offer to readers.
In his inspiring speech, Dr Vishwas contrasted the constriction of creativity often found in web series and movies with the limitless possibilities that books provide. He urged the audience to prioritize investing in books as a pathway to self-reflection and mental resilience. Emphasizing the profound impact of literature on shaping one’s perspective, Dr Vishwas encouraged a shift in spending priorities from material possessions like pizza and clothes to the enrichment that books offer.
Reflecting on his 35-year journey of performing poetry in 44 countries, Dr. Kumar Vishwas highlighted the poet’s crucial role in critiquing societal issues. He shared personal experiences, including receiving Lokmanya Tilak’s Gitarahasya as a prize in fourth grade, underscoring the importance of exploring diverse books for a comprehensive understanding of various subjects.
Dr Vishwas envisioned India’s ascent as a spiritual and economic superpower by its 100th year of independence. He cautioned against the superficiality of platforms like WhatsApp and artificial intelligence, emphasizing the irreplaceable superiority of human senses over machine senses.
The audience responded positively to Dr Kumar Vishwas’s lecture, which was accompanied by his performance of the famous composition “Koi Deewana Kehta Hai.” Vinod Tawde acknowledged the poet’s significant contribution to poetry and literature, highlighting the Pune Book Festival as a celebration for readers.
