Ahmedabad: Speaking at a function here, union Home minister Amit Shah said he read Vidur Niti and Chanakya Niti both books that are in his library published by Sastu Sahitya Mudranalaya Trust only which he heads today. Shah recollected opening written by Mahatma Gandhi for Chanakya’s book in which he said this is not granth (book), this is a granthagar(library). Shah recollected how the book had easy Gujarati translation and how it explained the meaning of what Chanakya said.

Shah was speaking at a function to launch 24 republished books by Sastu Sahitya, an over 100 years old organization that was set up by Bhikshu Akhandanand and also inspire establishment of Geeta Press Gorakhpur.Shah is leading this Trust for last two years and thanks to his guidence, the Trust has been able to republish scores of unavailable titles that were out of print since long due to weak financial condition.

Shah noted in his speech that some books republished today were witnessing their 20th, 80th, 40th edition, which shows how popular those books were and how these books took people to Sanmarg and Satva Vikas.

Shah recalled Kansara saheb, a librarian of library in his village who conveyed him importance of books. Shah recalled Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi’s Vanche Gujarat movement in the past to motivate and inspire the youths to read more. Shah said he held a meeting with librarians of libraries across his constituency and discussed the plans to make libraries realive.

Shah said whatever he could do in his life was thanks to the library in his village that he used to visit. DeshGujarat