SOMETHING I LOOK AT-53 BY-SMRUTI RANJAN MOHANTY Books, my love! my most tangible friend! you are with me since childhood, never betrayed me once even, stood by me in moments of joy and despair, agony and apathy consoling and guiding me to my ultimate destination with mirth and glee None like you, none can be whenever I am in a fix I look at you You have answers to all my vexed questions, a panacea to all my ills. You carry truth and wisdom from generation to generation and guide civilisations to its perfection. You have in you the beauty and fragrance of the past, the knowledge of mankind, a road map for the present, a vision of the future and everything one needs to go ahead on the path of life with ease and dignity. When there was no internet, no television, no means of communication and radio was a luxury of the few, you were there providing me with all the knowledge, wisdom and expertise and instilled the urge in me to live life to the full with a purpose, love and passion. You nourished me all along, taught me the spirit of tolerance and compromise, the value of being good to oneself and others and made me what I am, a disciplined man with lots of love admiration and respect for others. I never fumbled on the way, in the manner, I was socialised the values I inculcated paved me the way. Today we have all the modern means of communication and the whole world at the doorstep, but how incomplete and fragile our socialisation seems to be. The way we were groomed in yesteryears with classics like Ramayan and Mahabharat are far different from the grooming of today's kids with television and internet which is clearly evident from their attitude towards life, themselves and others. In the midst of electronic gadgets the human touch of the books sadly missing and sadly missing is the simplicity of man, his love concern and respect for others. The charm of you knows he who reads you with love and passion. I will never let you die my friend! you are still in the heart of my heart soul of my soul and will be there till I breathe my last. copyright@smrutiranjan 2.9.2017 #SOMETHING I LOOK AT-53 BY-SMRUTI RANJAN MOHANTY Books, my love! my most tangible friend! you are with me since childhood, never betrayed me once even, stood by me in moments of