Mysore/Mysuru: Stating that reading books will help in increasing our power of imagination, former ISRO Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar said that reading will also help increase our analysing capability of subjects or matters.

He was speaking at the programme organised by JSS Mahavidyapeetha for the release of five books at Shivarathri Rajendra Bhavan in JSS Hospital premises here yesterday.

Pointing out that we will understand the books as we read, Kiran Kumar said the picture in the visual media is different as we grasp the subject from pictures and visuals created by others. This will not help in the growth of our creativity, he observed.

“In the battle between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Real Intelligence, Real Intelligence has more value. The Knowledge within us should not be made submissive to AI, which is external in nature. The development of the society is possible if we appropriately use the information and inputs provided by technology. The Telangana Government is preventing land encroachments by using “HYDRAA” project which is based on survey statistics provided by satellites. The Postal Department too has made communication much easier by giving a separate DIGIPIN number for every 4×4 metre area in the country,” he maintained.

Department of Public Libraries Commissioner G. Jagadish,  who spoke after releasing the books said that though the number of readers was gradually decreasing, reading habits can see a marked improvement if people are provided the books of their taste. Those who are fed up or tired of mobile usage, should return to books, he argued.

Stressing on the need for new measures to build a library that are of real benefit to the public, Jagadish said inputs regarding this has been collected from officials and staff. Noting that the Department is collecting data on popular books and the type of books that are borrowed by the readers, he said that the Department has come forward to buy books that are most sought after by the readers and the public.

Kannada Book Authority Chairman Manasa in his address, said that reading books will flush out the filth in our mind. It will also help in keeping a check on physical ailments, he added.

Five books released are — ‘Mysuru Prajapratinidhi Sabha- Charitrika Avalokana’ (Edited by Dr. N. Maheshwari), ‘Channabasavannanavara Vachana Vyakhyana’ (Siddarameshwara Beldala Sharanaru – Edited by Dr. G.S. Kapase), ‘Space Technology and Societal  Applications’ (French edition book written by A.S. Kiran Kumar), ‘Glimpses of Suttur Mutt’ (Authored by Late H. Gangadharan) and ‘Veerashaiva-Lingayat Parikalpanegalu’ (authored by Sadanand Kanavalli).  

All these books are published by Jagadguru Shivarathreeshwara Granthamaale.

Suttur Mutt seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji graced the occasion.

Writers Prof. C. Naganna and Sujatha Swamy, Roopa Guruprasad, K.G. Vinutha, Dr. N.M. Nandeesh Hanche, Nagarle Shivakumar, Dr. Kattawadi Shivaswamy and others were present.