• Instead of short videos on digital platforms, authors should share short stories, poetry, and articles. Establishing e-book and online public libraries can make books more accessible to people.
• Open and free libraries at our bus stops, parks, and other public places

By Abdullah Usman Morai | Sweden

Throughout human history, books have always been lighthouses of knowledge. History tells us that whenever nations have remained connected to knowledge, literature, and intellect, their civilizations have flourished. Conversely, when they have distanced themselves from books, their societies have faced decline. Books are not merely sources of information; they also give birth to thought, insight, and creativity.

In today’s digital age, technology and the digital world, mobile phones, social media, and short videos have captured people’s attention and captivated them. The glow of screens has overshadowed the light of book pages, and the habit of reading is gradually diminishing. What was once a common practice, taking time to sit down with a book and read seriously, has now become a fading and old-fashioned hobby. All over the world, especially in our society, people are moving towards brief content for entertainment and information. The notion that reading is only for education is mistaken; in reality, it is a source of spiritual and mental peace. The decline in the habit of reading is not just a social trend but a dangerous signal for our thoughts, imagination, and wisdom.

Now, a question arises: are books truly being forgotten? Or do they still have the power to give new light, inspiration, and life?

A Personal Observation: A Small Library at Krakow Airport

Very recently, I was waiting for my flight at Krakow Airport in Poland. While it’s common to see people busy on their mobile phones at airports, I was surprised to see a small library there. Books of different languages were on the shelves, and people were freely picking them up and reading. Some people were engrossed in books while waiting for their flights, and when it was time to board, they would read and then return the books to the same spot so others could benefit. This sight was amazing to me, and it made me realize again how precious books are.

At that moment, I felt that books are not just books, but friends who accompany you on any journey, during any wait, and in any difficult moment. I was left wondering if the habit of reading had really ended. If such a passion for reading exists in an airport, where everyone is in a hurry, why can’t we revive it in our own society? This one incident forced me to realize that books are not just a source of information, but a joy that everyone can experience.

Why is the Habit of Reading Decreasing in Society?

There are several reasons for the decline in the habit of reading. For example, people lose themselves in the problems of employment, education, and other issues. But the most important reason is the increasing consumption of social media and digital content. Platforms like TikTok and Reels provide quick and short-term entertainment, which reduces interest in reading longer content. Another reason is the weakness of our education system, where reading is considered just a means to pass exams, not a tool for personal growth. Finally, the problem of access to books is also a major obstacle. Libraries are either non-existent or inactive in our areas, which makes it difficult for people to get new books.

Benefits of Reading Books

There is not just one benefit of reading books; the list can be long. For example, reading broadens the mind and opens new avenues for thinking. It also generates patience, awareness, and empathy, which enhances a person’s ability to speak and write. The act of reading connects an individual to the world and its history. Psychologically, books also provide companionship and help people feel less lonely.

Suggestions to Revive the Habit of Reading

Reviving the habit of reading is a collective effort. The government and social institutions need to pay serious attention to this. The following suggestions can help achieve this goal:

1. Establish community libraries: Small and easy-to-manage libraries should be established in every village and city. These libraries should not only have books but also weekly reading programs and book discussion sessions.
2. Use digital content correctly: Instead of short videos on digital platforms, authors should be encouraged to share short stories, poetry, and articles. Establishing e-book and online public libraries can make books more accessible to people.
3. Role of parents and teachers: Parents should read storybooks to their children from an early age. The habit of reading should be made a part of the curriculum in schools, and a special period should be designated for reading every week.
4. Open and free libraries: Models like the one at Krakow Airport can be established at our bus stops, parks, and other public places. Such open book racks or cupboards will encourage people to read.

Conclusion

The purpose of this article is to say that just as seeing people engrossed in books at Krakow Airport made me realize that seekers of knowledge and literature still exist, the habit of reading is not a fading light. Rather, if society gives it importance, it can still become a new inspiration and breath of life. Reading books is not just a habit; it broadens the mind and gives wings to imagination. It connects us with different worlds and makes our thinking deeper and more conscious. If we want to bring this light back to our society, we have to work together so that books become an essential part of our lives, and we start with ourselves by carrying books and encouraging others to adopt this habit. To forget books is to forget the light within ourselves, and to keep them alive is to see human life with new eyes.

Read: Participatory Politics for Democratic Voice

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Abdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to time. A frequent traveler, he also does podcast on YouTube with channel name: VASJE Podcast.

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“Except the barbarian age, in the history of mankind, only books have ruled the world,” a famous quotation

Books are a person’s true companions, bringing light to the darkness of life. “Whatever human being desire on this earth, the method to achieve it, has been written in books,” Napoleon had said.

A glance at a book and you’re inside the mind of another person, may be somebody dead for thousands of years. Across the millennia, an author is speaking and silently influencing us. Reading books can help maintain cognitive function and memory, which can lower the risk of developing cognitive problems in old age, such as dementia.

A study shows that those who regularly read books for 30 minutes per day have mortality rate (death from various diseases) reduced by at least 20 percent compared to those who do not have the habit of reading books. Another study with a long duration also said that those who regularly read books tended to live two years longer than those who did not read any books, newspapers, or magazines. That means reading can also increase a person’s life expectancy.

However, the activity of reading books has lately been neglected by various circles for reasons of being busy, which is an indication of a scarcity of knowledge in the future. New media, IT, TV, and Nintendo have actively contributed to the death of reading.

The United States has a strong reading culture, which is reflected in the number of books and newspapers published specifically in the country compared to the rest of the world. But unfortunately, on the other hand, Pakistan is among those countries where the trend of reading is not prevalent. A Gallup survey found that 75% of people in Pakistan have only read course books in their lifetime. This trend may be attributed to various factors, including a lack of library and self-study culture, as well as a focus on degree attainment. Personally, I believe this is a concerning trend for our country.

William Shakespeare, an English playwright, poet, and actor, did not have a professional degree. However, it is interesting to note that many universities require students to study Shakespeare’s works as part of their bachelor’s or master’s degree programs.

Essentially, the education system plays a crucial role in shaping reading habits. In some cases, the emphasis on rote learning and exam-focused education leaves little room for promoting a love for reading.

There are several ways to promote a reading culture nationwide, such as:

– Holding countrywide literary festivals on regular basis

– Organizing book-review competitions in schools and colleges

– Conducting seminars to raise awareness about the benefits of reading

– Holding book fairs in cities every month

– Promoting library culture in every city of Pakistan

Salwa Khokhar

BBA student at Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science & Technology, Larkana Campus

The post Book Reading: A Therapy for Mental Health first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Shoukat Lohar  

Books have always been considered as the best friends of human beings. They have been a source of knowledge, wisdom, and entertainment for centuries. As Francis Bacon once said, “Reading makes a ready man.” Indeed, reading has the power to transform individuals into well-informed, enlightened, and cultured beings.

Through books, one can become aware of the past, present, and future, and gain a deeper understanding of the world around them. However, in recent times, with the rise of gadgets and technology, there has been a drastic decline in the reading culture. Despite this, there are still numerous readers who are fond of reading books and understand the value they hold.

Books are widely read throughout the world and the love for books and reading is still alive in Sindh; though it has diminished due to multiple reasons yet we can’t say the book reading has grossly gone. In recent reawakening in Sindh; the youth are known for their avid reading habits. It is truly amazing to see young individuals engrossed in books, despite the distractions of modern technology.

This serves as a reminder of the inherent power of reading, which can triumph over the flood of gadgets that surround us. Let’s understand the hidden power or outcome of reading best books step by step.

The Power of Books

Books are not just a collection of words on paper; they are alive with the power to enlighten, educate, and inspire.

Unlike gadgets that come and go, books have stood the test of time and have been cherished by generations for their enduring wisdom. Books have the power to transport us to different worlds, ignite our imagination, and broaden our horizons. They provide us with knowledge, insights, and perspectives that we might not encounter in our daily lives. Through books, we can learn about different cultures, histories, and ideas, and gain a deeper understanding of the world we live in.

Reading vs. gadgets

Reading is a more powerful medium than gadgets, as it allows for deep engagement and critical thinking. When we read, we actively process the information, analyze it, and form our own opinions. This process stimulates our cognitive abilities, enhances our critical thinking skills, and nurtures our intellect. Unlike gadgets that provide instant gratification. Reading requires patience, concentration, and effort. It is a slow and deliberate process that allows us to truly immerse ourselves in the subject matter and gain a comprehensive understanding of it. In a world that is increasingly characterized by information overload and superficial engagement, reading offers a respite and a means to develop our mental faculties.

Choosing the Right Books

The choice of books we read is crucial in shaping our reading experience. While there is no one-size-fits-all formula for selecting books, it is important to choose books that align with our interests, passions, and goals. Memoirs, biographies, diaries, history books, philosophy, psychology, and books that stimulate critical thinking are excellent choices for those looking to broaden their intellectual horizons. Memoirs and biographies provide insights into the lives of remarkable individuals and their unique perspectives on the world. Diaries offer a glimpse into the personal thoughts and experiences of individuals, giving us a window into their inner world. History books allow us to learn from the mistakes and successes of the past, and understand how our world has evolved over time.

Philosophy and psychology books offer deep insights into the human mind and behavior, helping us understand ourselves and others better. Books that stimulate critical thinking, such as those on politics, society, and culture, encourage us to question the status quo and develop a more nuanced understanding of the world around us.

Fiction is also an important genre that should not be overlooked

Short stories, novels, and poetry have the power to transport us to different realms of imagination, stir our emotions, and ignite our creativity. Fiction allows us to explore the complexities of the human condition, experience and plight. It also tells you the way forward of life.

 Building a Home Study Room and Cultivating a Love for Books

In today’s fast-paced world, where gadgets and technology dominate our lives, it is more important than ever to cultivate a love for reading and establish a study room or mini library at home. Reading is a fundamental skill that opens doors to knowledge, enlightenment, and personal growth. It is not just limited to textbooks, but encompasses a wide range of genres, including scientific issues, literature, history, and more. Additionally, Encourage children to delve into books, and reading in different languages to expand their horizons and share their love for books with others.

When one construct building ensure study room / mini library there

One of the best ways to foster a culture of reading at home is by creating a dedicated study room or mini library. This can be a quiet sanctuary where individuals can immerse themselves in the world of books and engage in deep reading. A study room provides a conducive environment for focused reading, free from distractions of gadgets or other household chores. It can be a space where individuals of all ages can retreat to explore new realms of knowledge, expand their imagination, and develop a lifelong love for books.

A home study room can be designed to suit individual preferences and needs. It can be a cozy corner with a comfortable chair (if possible) otherwise just a silent or less noisy venue can work worth, a reading nook with soft lighting, or a well-organized space with shelves filled with books. It can also be a place to display personal collections, such as favorite books, magazines, pen, pencils, highlighters and other study encouraged gears. Creating a study room at home sends a powerful message to family members, especially children, about the importance of reading and makes it a focal point of the household. It becomes an inviting space that beckons everyone to pick up a book, delve into its pages, and embark on an enriching reading journey.

Children and books

Instilling a love for reading in children is a gift that can last a lifetime. Books provide a gateway to explore new worlds, learn about different cultures, and expand their knowledge and creativity. In today’s digital age, where children are often glued to screens, it is crucial to encourage them to spend time with books and develop healthy reading habits. Having a study room or mini library at home can serve as a nurturing space where children can discover the joy of reading.

Parents can play a pivotal role in cultivating a reading culture among children. They can start by introducing age-appropriate books that capture their children’s interests and passions. Whether it is picture books for young children or chapter books for older kids, selecting books that resonate with their interests can create a positive reading experience. Reading aloud to children can also be a wonderful bonding activity that sparks their imagination and fosters a love for stories and books.

In addition to providing access to a wide range of books, parents can also create a reading routine at home. Designating a regular reading time, where everyone in the family spends time reading in the study room, can make reading a cherished family ritual. It can be a time for children to explore books, ask questions, and share their thoughts and ideas. Encouraging children to write book reviews, make notes, and share their reading experiences with family and friends can further enhance their engagement with books and develop their critical thinking skills.

Beyond Textbooks and immersing new languages

While textbooks are essential for academic learning, it is important to move beyond them and explore different genres of books to foster a well-rounded reading experience. Textbooks can often be monotonous and limit one’s thinking to a specific subject or curriculum. Encouraging children and adults alike to explore diverse genres, such as literature, history, philosophy, and more, can open up new worlds of knowledge.

On the whole let’s revise the reading culture which is gone in shadow due to flood of mobile devices and other gadgets. Countries like us, are drastically need of human capitals. Best books with best minds. Along this thing should be kept in mind if anyone from us by reading must not be sycophant or proud that only s/he knows everything.  The world ends at that person.  But as Karl Poper stated: “the more I know the more ignorant be”. We have this issue people read few books and start bragging that they are everything now. Try to behave like Tom Dick and Harry! We must be careful about these things. Countries like us where one studies only to get good job (not all) afterwards very few people continue reading. However, now a days our country which is politically, economically and socially gone into labyrinth. We need best minds and best minds can only be produced by books. So, let’s back to books.

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Shoukat Lohar is Assistant professor in English at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro. He can be reached at Shoukat.ali@faculty.muet.edu.pk

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BY Hanefan Shaikh

In this digital era every guardian and parents are worried how to get their child towards reading newspapers, journals and books, as the technology is distracting every student from reading. Now question is how and who will redevelop the reading habit among the students? We’ll discuss some important aspects of creating or improving habit of reading.

First of all, we should understand why it is needed to read the newspapers and books? There are several reasons behind it. It is not only for students but every individual must read newspapers and books, as individual get knowledge about world issues and anything which we want to know what is going on here and there, as an American educator and humanitarian Mary McLeod Bethune says, “The whole world opened to me when I learned to read.”

In modern human life it is beneficial to make it a habit. Reading can transform a common person into extraordinary personality having the huge information. Moreover, reading newspapers and books not only make stronger your general knowledge but it improves your language skills whatever language you want to learn. Nowadays,  having  a good  command  of  English both oral and written  is a  prerequisite  for a successful  promotion  in  every  field,  therefore students  must  learn  how  to  communicate  by  means  of  a  foreign  language  at a very  high  level. Globally English language has become a prerequisite for a successful career in every field. The students should have a good command of oral as well as writing English language. Therefore it is needed Students should focus on learning English language to secure their career. In this regards, reading newspapers and books is very essential source to get language proficiency.

Furthermore, most important point is what to read? Every individual has many choices to read. But the basic level to getting it as a habit would be choosing material which is most interesting for individual. It can be current affairs, general knowledge, comic material, entertainment, autobiography, sports, national news etc. You can read more and more information through newspapers which you have in reach.  It is very important to choose trustworthy newspapers.

The trend of using social media is growing day by day. All kinds of gadgets, especially mobile phones, tablets, laptops, have replaced the newspapers and other print material. In today’s busy life, not only students but the elders too don’t have time to read newspaper. A very few people still go for a newspaper traditionally during the morning time or are they buy it through newspaper hawker at home. There is correlation between lower score in academic and overuse of gadgets.

It’s a need of time to introduce the interesting ways of reading newspapers to get on students habitual to reading and get over them from over-use of technology. Once you know about the reputable newspaper go on and must motivate your child to read on. Newspaper is full of information so its crucial way to get informed as well as improving vocabulary would play vital role to getting habit of reading newspapers from very early age.

There are some ways you can use to encourage youngsters to read newspaper regularly. As first step you should make a routine to read a newspaper with your child every morning, as the mind is fresh and ready at that time to absorb information more readily. Second, identify your child’s interests with noticing which particular information has been chosen by the kids. Let your child, read the portion, which move to getting interested, for example, entertainment and sports sections are most favorites for child. This will encourage him/her to read the newspaper on daily basis. Slowly and gradually you can draw their attention towards multiple topics like economics, politics, history etc.

Last but not the least – motivate your child to contribute writing on those topics which they are interested in. It would be an effective way to encourage them writing for newspapers in multiple sections. It helps not only for student’s everyday life but they can improve their personality having knowledge about many topics which lead to taking parts in various discussion forums.

As I mentioned above due to numerous distractions, especially due to overuse of technology, pupil feel it’s tricky to make a habit of reading newspapers regularly. At the same technology can play vital role to improve the reading skills if it will used in proper way. In the digital era youngsters can’t live without gadgets so it’s responsibility of parents to protect their children from negative use of technology by keeping an eye on them. To get benefit of technology parents, guardians and teachers should make students habitual of reading e-papers as well as hard copy if they want to secure the career of their children.

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Hanefan Shaikh is Lecturer at Faculty of Management Sciences, ILMA University Karachi Sindh

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