Books: A Uniquely Portable Magic
It is said that a child who reads grows to become an adult who thinks. Thinking is an essence of human existence and reading makes sure we don’t diverge from that path.
At SISIR Radar we always strive to stay at the forefront of creative and innovative thinking. And the cradle for innovative and creative thinking lies in keeping your inner child alive. What better way to do it than reading books and keeping your grey matter active. And what better place to find a book than in the world's largest non-trade book fair, Kolkata Book Fair 2022, where our founder Tapan Misra was invited to the release of a children's book called "Bandanar Bagan". Here’s what he has to say about the event:
I was fortunate to participate in the release of a children's book by celebrated Jnanpith award winner Bengali poet Late Shri Shankha Ghosh, along with his family members.
The book, titled "Bandanar Bagan", was released on 1st March at the ongoing Kolkata Book Fair. Unfortunately, the poet could not see the final shape of the book as he left for his heavenly abode in April, last year.
But the secretary of Bidhan Shishu Udyan, Shri Gautam Talukdar, and his team of dedicated individuals saw to it the book is published in the final shape.
The book is replete with superb illustrations by famed artist Shri Hiran Mitra, specifically designed to appeal to a child's mind at the first sight.
The poet has brought out the experience of the life in Bidhan Shihu Udyan and its evolution through the eyes of a little girl Bandana who happens to be the poet's own younger daughter.
This book is also an indirect comment on certain contemporary distortions in evaluations of silent contributions to society at large.
One time kingmaker of the undivided Congress party and satyagrahi in India's independence movement, Shri Atulya Ghosh built this sprawling garden, Bidhan Shishu Udyan, dedicated to future generations. This place is not just a sprawling garden, with a huge pond but a place where children participate in sports, games, music, dance, painting, and many other extracurricular activities. They also give training to young farmers in pisciculture and organic farming. This NGO also carries out classes and mock tests for students at secondary and higher secondary levels, at more than 65 places in faraway districts of West Bengal. A gigantic endeavour, carried out by selfless efforts of a motley group of professionals ranging from teachers to businessmen to common men. In order to contain the expenditure, even their family members also chipped in with whatever efforts they can contribute. Watching the team work is a management lesson on how to conduct a huge social service effort, with the sheer zeal of self-motivation and very restrained funding.
News report on the function along with a speech by Tapan Misra: