Choice of Books

Points: Book explosion in modern times — High and low categories — Room for individual tastes.

             When there was no printing press, books were all in manuscript. The number of books available was also limited. But today hundreds, even thousands, of books are being published daily all over the world. It is impossible to keep track of them by a single person.
             When there are so many books, we have to be choosy. The general reader chooses books of general interest. A specialist will procure a honk related to his special subject. Students will be interested in textbooks. Common readers always like novels and travelogues.
             We should read the classics if we want to cultivate our taste. Shakespeare, Tolstoy, Rabindranath, Whitman, Rolland are for all times and all ages. It is true we must also choose, for our recreation, light and humorous books. Choice is always personal. Choice of books is a matter of personal preference.  One’s choice need not be restricted to the so-called ‘good’ books only. Good, bad, indifferent — all kinds of hooks are enjoyable at different times. A reader should be allowed to develop his own taste without being over taught by his guides.

A Farewell Meeting

Points: The meeting — Some highlights of the occasion — Reminiscences flees of the old days.

             A few months ago our beloved teacher Harisadhan Babu retired from school. On the occasion of his retirement a farewell meeting was organized. The ex-students of the school look the initiative in the matter. The Headmaster helped them in all possible ways.
             The school took a festive look on that day. The hail was decorated. Many well known persons of the locality were invited. Most of them were once students of Harisadhan Babu. After the Headmaster made a few introductory remarks, an address was read out on behalf of the students and ex-students.
             Some songs were sung and a dhoti and a chadar were presented to the beloved teacher. Harisadhan Babu spoke nicely, recalling the old days and the old boys. We listened with rapt attention. He was speaking of the time when we were not yet born. It was a fascinating account. The oldest pleader Sudhir Babu lamented that the old tie between the teacher and the taught had been slackened now-a-days. Harisadhan Babu, he said, combined in him both discipline and love. He gave many instances of Harisadhan Babu’s love for students and sense of charity.