Why “BOOKS & CULTURE?

A magazine for cultivating book reading and cultural renaissance-As I decided to launch this magazine I was wondering what I was going to accomplish as a writer and a member of the society which was fast declining in the arena of knowledge and literature. Unfortunately people of my country had hardly any interest in reading and writing. The country was barren as far as intellectual creativity was concerned.  People in general appeared naked in body and mind.

In such unpromising environments talking of books and culture could just be a waste of time, energy and resource, especially when the venture is a single-handed enterprise and a lonely sojourn in a world of aberrations and wilderness. We are undertaking this journey despite the fact that similar attempts in the past have proven disappointing rather than encouraging phenomenon.

Nevertheless, with strong passion and determination you are left with no choice but to proceed and implement the notions that inspire and motivate you. One does not have to be “a Tory to fear a society that lets go of its literature”  as a writer in the Guardian observed. You have to be decisive and determined to realize the goal of cultivating a land where literary saplings were decaying and literary erudition was devoid of cultural connotations.

The society in general is not interested in education as a pursuit of excellence.  Indeed, the study of literature and civilization has been matters of grave despair .People in our country seem to be more interested in gathering riches and exploiting the resources for conspicuous consumption.  Literature, culture and values are not the ideals that fit into their images and minds. The portraits of success are painted with colours of conceit and vanity. In the midst of such trash I had to do what I could to recreate the interest in books and culture, so that our nation could become an educated and cultured organism. Such was the dream of Sir Syed Khan, Maulana Azad, Allama Iqbal and many others who conceived changes to radically alter the structure of decadent society .They knew that intellectual culture, values and arts were the imperative for generating excellence and creativity in human life.

Books are the primary source of knowledge which inspire the process of thinking and communicating, excelling and transforming.. They tell us that it is only by getting rid of the trash that we can reach the pinnacles of excellence.  They help us move in a direction that delineates the course of accomplishments and attainments. Books also nurture the capacity for enjoying intellectual culture. Culture without intellectual and aesthetic fulfillment is an orchard devoid of aroma and flavor.

With this passionate ardor and a gleam of inspiration it might be possible for us to brighten the images that remain dark and dreary. In this way we may be able to construct the corridors that remain to be broadened and enlightened. As tool of social awareness our journal might be able to create avenues for knowledge and understanding. It might help evolve more vibrant and cultured society for better outreach and creativity. We want to give it a broader, global perspective for world civilizations and cultures to interact and assimilate multiculturalism and diversity. We must provide a plank whereupon could be built the bridges of understanding and harmony. This is what Books and Cultures impart and this is what we intend to accomplish.