Internet books have limited lifespan

BHUBANESWAR: “I am still a student. Life for me is a constant learning process.”  Eminent octogenarian writer Achyutananda Pati remarked with humility while acknowledging his felicitation at the national writers’ meet here on Sunday.Accepting the Kadambini Saraswat Samman-2012, Pati  said: “I have been learning from life since my childhood and will continue to do so till my death. The three values in my life are patience, perseverance and persistence.” The meet was hosted by city-based Kadambini Media on the campus of KIIT university. Celebrated writer Paresh Nath and KIIT founder Achyuta Samanta, who is also the founder of the media house, felicitated Pati with a memento and a shawl. On the occasion, Nath said books and magazines are facing stiff challenge in this age of Internet, ipad and mobile technology. “People fail to realise that the literature contained in books and magazines are for ever. Internet books have a limited lifespan,” he said, adding that literature strengthens human relationships.In her address to the literary gathering, Mumbai-based poet and writer Arundhathi Subramaniam deliberated on the importance of poetry in human lives.  Likewise, Indian feminist writer and historian Urvashi Butalia narrated the story of Baby Haldar, a housekeeper and author, whose autobiography ‘Aalo Aandhari’ or ‘A Life Less Ordinary’ went on to become a bestseller in the country. Urvashi spoke on the importance of education in the lives of women and requirement of women writers in today’s society. Stating that literature is the most important medium for the cultural upkeep, speakers said that all the stakeholders must work in these directions. Books ‘Chhak’ by Adyapak Biswarajan, ‘Biswara Khela’ by Subhakanta Behera, ‘Kathare Kathare Upanyasare Nari Charitra’ by Iti Samanta and ‘Kadambini Ama Rosei’ Part II were released in the  meet.  A ‘Patrika Haat’ was inaugurated earlier in the day by Nath which saw participation of around 300 publishers. Most of the magazines were in Odia. A large number of literary luminaries attended the meet. Popular family feature magazine Kadambini has been hosting its annual literary festival for the past several years in Bhubaneswar. Kadambini editor Iti Samanta and its founder Achyuta Samanta were present.