Book Lover’s Day 2023

The Department of Languages, ELTAI HITS Kancheepuram Chapter and the ‘Book Wormz’ Reading Club celebrated the Book Lover’s Day on 9 August 2023.The day is celebrated to encourage the joy and fun of reading. The main objective of the event is to celebrate literature and books, encouraging people to put away their smartphones and simply read.

Dr. Akkara Sherine, Head of Languages and President ELTAI Kanchipuram Chapter, delivered the welcome address. She also introduced the Chief Guest,Dr. Mangayarkarasi, National Chapter Convenor, ELTAI India, and Dean Academic Affairs, Head Department of English, Ethiraj College for Women.

Dr. Mangayarkarasi in her special address pointed out the importance of reading. Shehad a very interactive session with the audience. She gave an example about the book ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ and said how the readers can imagine the characters and bring into vision about the scenery described by the author and emphasized that when a person reads his or her imagination will be kindled. She even encouraged the participants to read more of genres which they like. She kept the audience amused and interested with her narrative style. She insisted students to read inspite of various disciplines and said that it can be a new way of life. Later she listed out the essence of reading. She pointed out that reading widens the imagination, creativity, reduces stress and also stimulates the reader’s mind. She added about the ‘India Reads!’ movement by ELTAI and requested the students to proceed with their reading.

Dr. Prem Shankar Pandey, Assistant Professor (SG) and Technical Editor also addressed the audience and shared his experiences related to reading books and his interest in publishing books.

In accord with this event the ‘Book Lover's Day’ contest was conducted. Participants from various colleges in and around Chennai and Pondicherry participated enthusiastically giving their entries for Book Review, Short Story Writing and Memoir in English and Tamil Language.Students from the following colleges participated in this contest:

1. College of Horticulture, Rajendra Nagar, Telangana.  
2. D.R.B.C.C.C Hindu College, Avadi  
3. Dr.MGR Janaki College of Arts and Science for Women, Chennai  
4. Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Kelambakkam  
5. Lady Doak College, Madurai  
6. Pope John Paul II College of Education, Puducherry  
7. Sasi Institute of Technology Engineering, Andra Pradesh  
8. Sri Manakula Vinayagar Engineering College, Pondicherry  
9. St. Joseph's College (Autonomous), Trichy  
10. University of Madras, Chennai

Around 65 responses were received and after an intense scrutiny of the works sent by the participants, the winners were selected in each category.The prizes and certificates were issued to the winners by the Chief Guest.

Prize Winners

1. Thinakar. L – M.A. English, University of Madras – Short Story in Tamil  
2. Nusaibah Anas – B.A. English, HITS, Chennai – Short Story in English  
3. Gayathri. K – M.A. Tamil – DRBCCC Hindu College, Avadi–Book Review in Tamil  
4. Angeline Ebenezer. E, B.A English, Lady Doak College, Madurai – Memoir in English  
5. Hemapriya. M – B.A. B.Ed. English, Pope John Paul II College of Education, Pondicherry – Book Review in English  
6. Yanamadala Vinutha Sri, B.Tech CS, SMVEC, Pondicherry – Short Story in English

The event was compered by Ms. Rajeswari, student of II MA English. Vote of Thanks was proposed by Dr. H. Marie Evangeline, ‘Book Wormz’ Reading Club Coordinator, Assistant Professor of English (SG), Department of Languages.