STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Australian author Bill K Koul, who is on a tour across India, on Tuesday released the final set of books in a function held at Model Institute of Education and Research (MIER), here.
Former DGP and Chief Vigilance Commissioner J&K, Kuldeep Khoda was the Chief Guest whereas Chairman MIER Group of Institutions, Dr. Arun K Gupta, former Vice Chancellor, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri Prof. I.A. Hamal and Assistant Prof. University of Jammu and Advisor for Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Lakshadweep, Ranjit Kalra were the Guests of Honour.
Dr. Adit Gupta Director MIER welcomed the distinguished guests and thanked Bill Koul for choosing MIER as a venue for this literary activity.
Renu Koul MD of Vitasta Publishing introduced the Author to the audience after which the three books entitled ’22 Years – A Kashmir Story, ‘Issues white-anting India’ and ‘My Life does not have to be Unhappy’ were released by the Chief Guest and the Guests of Honour.
The three books deals with different issues and yet have a common thread inter-linking them.
Koul hails from a Kashmiri Pandit family and he left Kashmir in December 1989 just before the exodus of half-a-million Kashmiri Pandits.
“I vowed never to return to Kashmir, but I did after a 22-year of self-imposed exile,” explained Koul.
’22 Years – A Kashmir Story’ is a memo and a recollection of the authors growing up years and the events that took place through his eyes.
From his experiences also stems ‘My Life does not have to be Unhappy’ which is a self-help book.
“People need to learn to be happy in this fast-paced world which causes so much stress and anxiety. Each person needs to find a purpose in life and follow it. Life will be much more fulfilling,” he added.
As for the third book, ‘Issues white-anting India’, Koul feels that over-population is one of the key issues plaguing India and which needs to be fixed.
He also offers solutions to these problems in his book. Today, people here are struggling to get clean drinking water, breathe clean air and get good food. Over-population is a major issue here. Koul says society must come together to debate and discuss these issues and hold those in government accountable and responsible.
The Guests of Honour deliberated on the theme of the three books written by the author and were impressed by the author for penning down 3 books in a period of one year. They highlighted the various aspects of the books in which the author talks about bringing peace in J&K, the value system and the political, cultural and environmental challenges of the regionand issues that are impediments in the progress of the country etc. They also congratulated the author on his Maiden Authorship venture.
The Chief Guest Kuldeep Khoda greatly appreciated the efforts of the author in bringing out books on such pertinent topics and relevant to the current happenings in the country. He cherished the memoires of the author especially with regards to Kashmir and how peace can be achieved in the Valley.
Khoda expressed that the concerns mentioned in the other book with regards to issues hampering India’s growth and development were valid and opined that the growing population is a major drain on the resources of the country and is causing severe environmental problems.
Later mementoes were presented to the Chief Guest, Guests of Honour and the Author by the Chairman MIER group as a token of appreciation. A vote of thanks was presented by Manju Vali who also compered for the function.
