Is reading on the decline? The answer is in the affirmative, going by the opinion of academicians and experts. Several among them expressed apprehensions over the declining habit. Nevertheless, they also feel certain that the benefits of reading are unmatchable. You need to read books if you want creativity.
Students should inculcate love for studying literature as the global impact of visual media had weaned them away from reading habits and the way students were bookworm in the past is dwindling slowly and steadily. Study of literature would help enhance knowledge and reading any quality book brings the power of knowledge to the young generation. With the dominance of social media and the students divert the time lesser options rather than going through a series of e-books available for browsing. A book is a treasure that increases with sharing. And the social media is a strong influence in developing trends and curiosity among youngsters.
Reading improves imagination and that’s how we prefer spending summer vacations apart from playing board games with friends and family members. However, books and e-books cannot be compared. It is just like going to a five-star restaurant or ordering in a roadside eatery. After all, a book is a reflection of life and when we read a book, so many different thoughts and perspectives will come out in our mind.
If we could make a young lad to read for at least 30 minutes a day, then it is a big achievement as most of them are glued to the television screen. If that is not available then, they are busy playing smartphone games. It is better to get involved by playing an outdoor game of Cricket rather than staying at home like a frog inside a well. Instill reading habit among the children from a very young age. The colourful book will just encourage them to browse through the entire book and that will enrich their knowledge over a period of time.
Reading habit is the best among all soft skills as it is a source of creative power. But the present education system is structured such that students are studying only academic books and not other books or magazines. Parents should encourage students to study different books concerning national, social, cultural and political issues. Colleges should frequently organise seminars and debates on relevant issues.
In my opinion, it is the responsibility of the parents to learn the habit of reading books to the children. If one of the family members reads good books, then the children are inspired. Presenting good books to them and encouraging them to read will enhance their reading skills and they make it a habit. Nowadays, although every college has a library, it is unfortunate to say that most of these libraries are busy only during exams. In any class, not even half of the students use libraries effectively. It helps students improve their technical knowledge and communication skills. Every village should have its own public library so that not just students, but also farmers, job holders, and housewives can use it during their free time. It is sad to say that every village has a wine shop but not a library. Books are good friends. Biographies of great persons, scientific fictions, and novels make a person improve their thinking ability, analytical skills, and moral values.
Awareness to the students has to come from parents as well as teachers who need to make them aware of historical facts of the country, current issues, social issues, international issues, development in science, and technology. This makes the students go through the general books, magazines, newspapers with keen interest to know what it is then what happens next. Knowledge is power and by inculcating knowledge, the future of the children will be at the top of the world.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
