Mysuru: Regretting the decline in reading habits among people, MLA and senior JD(S) leader A.H. Vishwanath said that experience is the biggest asset to a person.

He was speaking after releasing IAS officer Dr. M.R. Ravi’s work Jeevana Sambhrama, a collection of articles brought out by Mahima Prakashana, at Rani Bahadur Auditorium on Hunsur Road here this morning.

Bemoaning that the number of mobile phone users and TV viewers were more than the number of readers at present, Vishwanath said that Dr. M.R. Ravi’s articles were both educative and informative about different aspects of life.

Maintaining that experience is the biggest thing for a person, Vishwanath said that while properties, wealth and other materialistic articles can be inherited or purchased, one can get experience only by getting a feeling or learning oneself.

Noting that a biography written by a cobbler in Maharashtra become popular because the book contained a variety of experiences gained by the author, he said that Dr. M.R. Ravi’s work aims at placing the IAS officer’s varied experiences before the Society.

Pointing out that  Dr. M.R. Ravi’s work can be a memorable one for its lucidity and forthrightness, Vishwanath said it was important for politicians to write books as experiences which can be shared among the masses.

Stating that he has plans to set up an Indian Political Academy, a first of its kind in the country at Kabini backwaters in the district, he sought the co-operation of everyone for setting up the Academy.

Columnist and Bengaluru Ramanashree Group Chairman S. Shadkashari, who spoke about the book, said that Jeevana Sambhrama is a collection of 30 articles of the author Dr.M.R. Ravi published in Mysooru Mithra, sister concern of Star of Mysore.

Observing that the titles and as well as the contents of the articles are very interesting, he said that the book throws light on several issues concerning the society and life.

Earlier, Dr.M.R. Ravi, an IAS officer currently serving as the Commissioner and Director of the Department of Handlooms and Textiles at Bengaluru, in his welcome address emphasised on the need for developing leadership qualities among the people.

Pointing out that great personalities like Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru and Dr.B.R. Ambedkar became National and International leaders because they were basically thinkers, Dr. Ravi said that thinking capacity is very vital for a strong and effective leadership.

Stating that writing is a means of relieving stress for him, he underlined the importance of enjoying a moral and meaningful life.

Highlighting that different aspects of life can be best understood only when we live a purposeful life, Dr. Ravi observed that responding to the distressed can bring cheer to life.

Cautioning that aspiring for the unnecessary can be disastrous to life, he said that every human being will undergo a variety of experiences in life, which can be best enjoyed by sharing with others.

Maintaining that he is not under the illusion of being a big writer himself, Dr. Ravi said he will be all the more happy if the book reaches out to more and more number of people.

Former University of Mysore Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.S. Rangappa, presided. Sheela Ravi, wife of author Dr.M.R. Ravi, Srinivas of Mahima Prakashana and others were present.

The book was sold at 50 percent discount at the venue today.