Yogesh K Porwar
“Only a Joyful Mind Can Truly Read Books”:MP Basavaraj Bommai
Bengaluru:Books are like friends,guides,and philosophers through which one can gain knowledge, said former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai.
He remarked that books help them understand how much knowledge they actually possess.Only a mind that is at peace and joyful can read books with interest—otherwise,it’s not possible.
Speaking on Saturday after inaugurating and presiding over a book release event organized by Vishwavani, where eight books were launched here on Saturday, Bommai stressed that books are like companions and mentors,offering them immense wisdom.
Reading books with interest is only possible when the mind is calm and content.To write a book,one must have creativity in their mind—something not everyone possesses.This creative gift as a blessing from God to Vishweshwar Bhat.
A New Revolution:
The former CM noted that although Vishweshwar Bhat was at the center of backroom politics,he never forgot the dignity of his position.He was well-acquainted with politicians of all kinds.
Out that 90% of people tend to misuse their positions, and they are in the age of Kali Yuga where goddess Lakshmi (wealth) has been enthroned while Saraswati (wisdom) has not.But Bhat has chosen to worship Saraswati.
The MP recalled Bhat’s tenure as the editor of Vijaya Karnataka,describing both him and the newspaper’s founder Vijay Sankeshwar as remarkable individuals.
Initially,Bommai had questioned why Bhat was chosen as the editor,but later realized that he brought about a significant revolution in journalism.
When Sankeshwar decided to start the newspaper, Bommai had discouraged him,saying there’s no profit in it.
But Sankeshwar went ahead and started it,and the result was the creation of a new wave of readers,infused with freshness and innovation.
“I regularly read newspapers.It was Bhat who introduced the trend of creative headlines in Karnataka journalism. He brought a new energy to the field,”he added.
Bommai said that Bhat transitioned from journalism to publishing and has written an outstanding book on Israel.
His book on former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee made the leader’s life accessible to the common man.
Some people buy books just for the sake of it and don’t read them, while others genuinely read them.For some, reading is a hobby;for others,it’s a serious pursuit—they read day and night.Some even read books to fall asleep.
He was encouraged to write by Vishweshwar Bhat. Writing is quite different from speaking.Writing demands deep thought.
TV channels are only interested in breaking news,but newspapers focus on what happens after the event. Today,writing has become easier thanks to the internet. But Bhat writes very creatively. He’s written vividly about foreign prisons—his writing is truly excellent.
Bommai observed that this was a gathering of readers—people who are willing to pay to read.Unfortunately, Kannada today is poorer in content.
He cited S.L.Bhyrappa as a great reference point,calling his writings evergreen.Bhyrappa wrote on everything from culture to political corruption in rural areas—works that serve as a benchmark.
Bhat has kept that legacy alive.“You have served Kannada motherland. Even when abroad, you have not forgotten your Kannada identity,” he said.
Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari,Dr.Veerendra Heggade, MP,Tejasvi Surya,Vishwavani editor,Vishweshwar Bhat, Republic Kannada editor,Shobha Malavalli,businessman, S.Shadakshari,and authors Raju Adakalli and Kiran Upadhyay were present.
