Mizoram governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai has urged politicians, irrespective of party affiliation, to enlighten the masses on social and political issues by penning down their experiences.

Pillai preaches what he has been practising for years: he has written 123 books, three of which he released at a simple function at the Raj Bhavan in Aizawl on Saturday afternoon.

He completed 13 of these during the Corona-induced lockdown and restrictions. A Raj Bhavan staffer said, “Sir has been spending at least five hours everyday in his study during the lockdown.”

Talking to The Telegraph after Saturday’s book release function attended by chief minister Zoramthanga and former chief minister Lal Thanhawla, Pillai, 65, said, reading and writing is a must for people in public life.

“We had some great public figures who used to read and write a lot. The trend has been decreasing over the past three decades. All politicians, public figures, irrespective of their political affiliations, should read and write. It is our duty to educate and enlighten the masses on social and political issues,” he said.

Pillai said he was influenced by several writers while growing up.

“(Mahatma) Gandhiji, (Jawaharlal) Nehruji, Syama Prasad (Mookerjee)ji, Deendayal (Upadhyaya)ji used to write a lot as their commitment to the people. There were great writers from my own state. Their writing helped the common man. But in the last three decades, writing by politicians has shown a decreasing trend. Therefore, I appeal to all to read and write,” Pillai, hailing from Kerala, said.

Pillai is a former two-time Kerala state BJP president and a practising lawyer at High Court of Kerala. He assumed charge as Mizoram governor on November 5 last year.

Two of his books — Republic Day 2020 and Thus Speaks the Governor, were released by Ajai Lamba, Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court, through video-conference, while a book on poems, Corona Kavithakal, in Malayalam, was released by Zoramthanga, who handed over a copy of the book to Brig. Vinod S, Commander of 23 Sector Assam Riffles.

The governor said the Covid-19 pandemic had been huge lessons, “exposing our vulnerabilities as well as showcasing our strength”.

Zoramthanga praised the extraordinary achievement of the Governor in his creative ventures by making full use of the lockdown period. Lal Thanhawla expressed admiration for the governor’s literary prowess and sheer hard work but lamented that there are very few books on Mizoram.