Literature Lovers, Here’s Where You can be this Weekend!
The three-day book exchange festival, organised by Vyas Creations and Rajni Women Welfare Association, is being held at Sahyog Mandir in Thane, from June 6 to 8, 2024. Celebrating its 19th year, Vyas Creations marks the occasion by releasing 19 books, demonstrating its commitment to fostering a love for reading. The festival promotes the concept of exchanging read books for unread ones, encouraging a sustainable reading culture with the message, “Read books, save trees.” This theme is highlighted by Vyas Creations’ sentiment, “Each time you read a book, a tree smiles knowing there’s life after death.”
Reader participation is crucial for cultivating a reading culture. Book donations can be made to Vyas Creations, contributing to the Central Senior Citizens Association library. The festival features various literary programs and performances, concluding on June 8 with diverse activities and the release of children’s literature.
The event began on Thursday, June 6, at 4 PM with Ganesh Vandana and a children’s play. Notable invitees included Dr. Suresh Havere, singer and writer Mukund Marathe, Dr. Sridhar Thakur, writer and actor Deepak Karanjikar and tax consultant Rajendra Salvi. The festival saw the release of several books, including “Sonachafyachi Phula” by Dhanshree Lele, “Pandhra Mor,” and “Dhol Waje Dham Dham” translated by Dr. Vijaya Tilak and “Swarajya@350” by Akash Bhadsawale.
On Friday, June 7, Vedha Academy plans to conduct a book review session at 10 AM, followed by musical and karaoke performances by Rajni members. Later, at 4 PM, Dr. Sridhar Thakur, Dr. Suman Navalkar, Eknath Ahwad and Prof. Rekha Maid will release Ashok Bagwe’s poetry collections and books by Charushila Bhamre and Sandhya Samant-Savant.
Saturday, June 8, will begin at 10 AM with a play featuring Amruta Dixit, Aarti Dalvi, Shabduli Sutar and Mithila Gaitonde, directed by Harshada Borkar. This will be followed by a poetry reading session by Rajni members, including Padmaja Risbood and Manisha Bhaskar. The evening session at 4 PM features veteran writer Ravindra Gurjar, senior psychiatrist Dr. Shubha Thatte and colorist Ashok Samel. Books by Dr. Sukrut Khandekar, Advait Padhye, Meghna Padhye, Meghna Joshi and Kalpana Malaye will be released. The festival will honour senior librarians and generous book donors. Brinda Dabholkar and Mahendra Konde will host the festival on the second and third day respectively.
The event is free, encouraging avid readers to participate. For more information and book donations, contact 9930767742 or 8652233676.