Jnana Darshan book exhibition at Kristu Jayanti College, Bangalore

"I don't have to look far to find treasures, I discover them every time I visit a library" - Michael Embry

This thought provoking quotation was printed on the banner that carried the title "Jnana Darshan", the book exhibition 2016-17 organized at Kristu Jayanti College, Bangalore. Starting this write up with the quote by Michael Embry makes a lot of sense since it holds mirror to the values of the esteemed college.

It also throws light on the fact that the management, the faculty and the students take reading seriously and implement the same in their day-to-day life. According to a teaching staff member, the college has been organizing such book exhibitions and students have utilized such opportunities to the fullest.

Principal of Kristu Jayanti, Rev. Fr. Josekutty was the first speaker of the function. His speech was pregnant with thoughts useful for the young minds as well as the publishers who had come with their excellent collection of books; he said that books build a righteous path to an ideal future of a students and shape their personality, provided they read books with good content.

He also said that the book publishers strive for a noble of spreading knowledge among readers of all ages and from different walks of life; although they sell books, it is a business with a difference.

S.K. Shama Sundara, Chief Editor, OneIndia (Kannada), graced the function as the Chief Guest. His speech was a useful piece of advice to the students. Shama Sundara very interestingly conveyed the importance of learning through the example of James Boswell, who never took to writing. However, Samuel Johnson, the writer and lexicographer par excellence and Boswell's friend for over thirty years, inspired Boswell to write a biography (Life of Johnson). It was an example for how knowledge influences those individuals who seek shelter under its soothing shade.

Shama Sundara further said, "It is a pleasant paradox that being a pure digital editor, I have been invited to inaugurate a book fair! Once a book worm, I have stopped reading books now. I have taken to writing for web and I am obsessed with browsing news all the time. Even if I were to take to writing book, I would write autobiography on Facebook, or as lengthy as 140 characters on Twitter!"

The Book Exhibition at Kristu Jayanti:

There were close to a dozen publishers who proudly stood amid the piles of books. There were books ranging from management and technology to engineering and organic chemistry. The joy of bringing books to the proactive young minds of Kristu Jayanti was obvious on their faces. The students responded tremendously as they glanced at books related to the subjects prescribed in their syllabus and the books related to their areas of interest.

Speaking about the library, the Chief Librarian, Mr. Harish, mentioned that they have a collection of 46, 000 books catering to the educational needs of 4,000 students! So it would not be wrong to say that a student with a little knowledge will turn into a well-informed after his or her visit to the library. During the exhibition, the students spoke about books, the importance of such exhibitions and reading experience on electronic gadgets as well as hardbound books.

The students did not deny the inevitable influence of digitization on literature, but maintained that no experience of reading can match the one they enjoy while holding a hardbound book.

About Kristu Jayanti College:

Kristu Jayanti College was founded in 1999. It is run by "BODHI NIKETAN TRUST", formed by the members of St. Joseph Province of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI).

Kristu Jayanti College is affiliated to the Bangalore University and has been reaccredited with grade 'A' by NAAC. The college was accorded autonomous status from 2013 by the University Grants Commission, Government of Karnataka and the Bangalore University.

In India Today - Nielsen survey 2015, the college is ranked 16th Best Commerce College, 22nd Best Science College and 24th Best Arts College in India and 3rd, 4th, 5th positions in Commerce, Arts & Science among Top 10 Colleges in Bangalore.

For further information, visit Kristu Jayanti College

Autonomous colleges in Karnataka