“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.