Most distinguished chief guest, revered Principal, dignitaries on the dias and off the dias, my beloved teachers and friends. This morning 1 wish to share my views on a man-making habit called ‘Reading’.

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends. They are the most accessible and wisest of counselors and most patient of teachers. Some schools do focus on developing a flair for reading by keeping a library period. Children are allowed to borrow books and also share their observations with their peers after the library hour is over. Such sharing introduces children to the wonder world of books. The art of reading is in great part that of acquiring a better understanding of life from one’s encounter with it in a book. Through reading, one exposes oneself to new things, new ways to solve a problem. Reading is a very useful hobby.Wisemen have lauded the importance of reading and the hobby of reading. Kofi Annan said, “Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope.”

William James said, “So it is with children who learn to read fluently and well. They begin to take flight into whole new worlds as effortlessly as young birds take to the sky.” Dear friends let us read books and conquer the world.