“Literature is not merely a reflection of life; it is a force that helps readers navigate the dilemmas of existence,” said Jnanpith award-winning Konkani writer Damodar Mauzo, stressing that writers must become the voice of their readers. He was speaking at the launch of Zanel, a poetry collection by noted Konkani poet and critic H. M. Pernal, held at the MCC Bank auditorium in Mangaluru on Friday.