Books change lives

Yesterday was the day for the world to pay tribute to books and authors. In 1995, UNESCO designated the day as World Book and Copyright Day in order to encourage everyone, and young people in particular, to discover the pleasures of reading and to renew their respect for imperishable contributions great writers have made.

Such great writers as Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega died on that day in 1616. And Russian American writer Vladimir Nabokov was born on that day and so was French writer Maurice Druon.

With Internet playing an increasingly important role in our lives, more and more people depend on it for information they need. But there is no denying the fact that the civilizations we have inherited and whose fruits we enjoy today would have been impossible without those writers whose wisdom enhanced cultural and social progress.