Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said creative writing has the capacity to touch lives of several generations.
Speaking after the presentation of the 50th Jnanpeeth Award to Bhalchandra Nemade, Modi said: "As chief minister, I had initiated 'Vaanche Gujarat' to create an environment for people to read and enjoy reading."
Modi said that while a publisher can think of papers, an author thinks of an era. "I also have a concern. Sometimes books are written but they are not sold enough."
He regretted the declining interest in books and reading. He said people must ensure a special place for books in their homes.
Solutions to the problems of global warming and climate change, which the world is debating today, can be found in the Vedas, he said.
The prime minister emphasised that the combination of wisdom and prosperity is the key to India's progress.
Praising Nemade's writing, Modi compared his views with those of Sri Aurobindo.