Books are truly some of the greatest joys in life. They allow us to escape reality and get lost in fantastic tales. Books provide excellent company, from being integral to people’s living rooms to being the finest travel companions. The thrill of reading a good book knows no bounds, whether in physical or electronic form. Spreading the importance of reading books on Book Lovers’ Day, &TV actors and bookworms share their love for books. These include Mohit Dagga (Ashok, Doosri Maa), Himani Shivpuri (Katori Amma, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan), and Rohitashv Gour (Manmohan Tiwari, Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai). Mohit Dagga, essaying Ashok in &TV’s show Doosri Maa, shares, “I lived in books more often than I lived anywhere else. I am a bookworm. Settling into a comfortable chair with a good book is therapeutic for me. I do not care if it’s a romance, a mystery, a high-concept science fiction novel, or maybe even a life-changing memoir; I love reading. My list of favourite books is never-ending, but one of my childhood favourites reads Amar Chitra Katha, and I think they are the best for retaining a person’s interest, especially that of a new reader. You can finish them quickly, and the learning you derive from all those legendary stories also adds immense value to your life as an individual”.
Himani Shivpuri, who plays Katori Amma in &TV’s show Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, shares, “I am a true bibliophile. Reading books brings me peace. And I have a wonderful collection of books at my place. A book is something you will always find in my bag. Reading is the best thing to do while travelling for your daily routine. I discovered early on that books have the power to improve your thought process. Premchand and Sarat Chandra stories were common in every household in the country when I was a child. Pick up any of their books; each story is so compelling that it will change your outlook on life. Also, I am fascinated by Indian mythology and have read something from India’s creative past. One of my favourite series to read is Ashok Banker’s Ramayana.” Rohitashv Gour, who essays Manmohan Tiwari in &TV’s show Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai, says, “I developed the habit of reading quite early in life thanks to my father. We are a family that loves to read and be surrounded by books. He always used to say that a room without a book is like a body without a soul. In my younger days, I was a kitabi keeda; I would be engrossed in my favourite writers so much that I never paid much attention to my textbooks. I had always loved reading books and plays by Sharad Joshi, Prem Chand, Harichandra, Vijay Tendulkar, and Mohan Rakesh. I can re-read their books thousand times more. Also, Chanakya’s Chant by Ashwin Sanghi is my favourite, which tells the famous strategies of the legend Chanakya. As parents, we must encourage our children to read more often, as my father did. I also kept a small open library at home for my daughter. Displaying books can go a long way towards inculcating the habit of reading. On World Book Lovers Day, I suggest that people of all ages start reading at least one book per quarter and then increase the number of books to improve their reading speed and appetite. Reading books is not just a hobby but can be a way of life”.
Watch Doosri Maa at 8:00 pm, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan at 10:00 pm, and Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai at 10:30 pm, airing every Monday to Friday only on &TV!
