Reading opens a whole new world in front of us - Have you ever experienced the pleasure of holding a book? - Inculcate the Reading Habit

 Today, the 23rd April is celebrated as World Book Day! The theme for World Book and Copyright Day 2024 is “Read Your Way”. This day is dedicated to the celebration of literature in all forms and to promote the enjoyment of reading books. One of the reasons behind choosing this day is, famous authors like Shakespeare, Cervantes and Vega died on this same day. This date was unanimously selected in the UNESCO’s General Conference, held in Paris in the year 1995, to pay a worldwide tribute to books and authors on this day, encouraging everyone to access books (unesco.org)

I am happy to share my thoughts on reading books on this special day, World Book Day!

I used to read a lot of books, particularly when I read historical novels, I did get a good scolding from my mother for continuously reading without eating or doing any other work! But, I could not keep the book down until I completed it. I would not know what’s happening around me if I was  reading a book! That is the pleasure of reading!

I read this about books:

Books  –         

           A teacher of life

                      A friend in need

                      A mother who cares (by being compassionate who eases out pain)

                      A father who corrects us

           A pleasurable companion

                                    Who never complains about anything

                         But provides solutions to all our problems

                  A wonder that can provide both wings and roots for us  to  explore and to be strong.

Have you ever experienced the pleasure of holding a book? The very feel of holding a book gives us immense pleasure. The fragrance of new books is incomparable. 

 

Reading books is a status. The authors we choose to read, measure our intelligence. The authors are our friends, philosophers and guides.

Reading habits will raise you above all. Our national leaders with reading habits have reached the mass more powerfully than others.

Our former prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru used to quote many things while addressing people at the parliament. Once when he was asked how he was able to quote many things, how he is reading despite his busy schedule.  He replied "I am stealing! ". What? Stealing!, others were surprised at the reply. Then he explained: In the schedule prepared by my secretary, 5 hours are reserved as my sleeping time and in that I used to steal 2 hours for reading purposes. That made all the difference about Pandit Nehru ji!.

Our former chief minister C.N. Anna Durai was also a passionate reader. Once he was advised to undergo an operation by his doctors. He immediately requested some time to get admitted. Everyone was surprised to hear this and they asked the reason for that.

To everyone's surprise the Chief Minister said “I have started reading a book, give me some time to complete it so that I can get admitted happily." That was the passion he had towards reading.

Such is the pleasure of reading books. 

Reading opens a whole new world in front of us. Reading changes the way we perceive.  It enhances thinking ability and analytical skills. It keeps you abreast of the surroundings and current affairs. It improves communication skills, oral or written.  Suddenly people look at you for solutions and you become a hero/heroine among your friends.

Get introduced to Jayakanthan, Sandilayan, Kalki, Shivashankari … / J.K. Rowling, Dan Brown, Jeffrey Archer, Paulo Coelho … / Gandhi, Abdul Kalam … / Robin Sharma, Nandan Nilakeni and so on.  You can never be alone or feel lonely.

But, now I observe the reading habit is getting extinct in our youngsters. The famous bookshops are closed and even those functioning have very few collections.  Why? First of all, people are getting addicted to social media and have stopped reading books. Here, my observation is, this social media influence has no age bar, elders are equally(even more) influenced as the youngsters by that. Have you noticed this?

Even reading books is through electronic gadgets now! But that is also fine in a way in the current scenario where we have already started and are going on polluting the environment. When we are concerned about the environment, knowing the aftereffects of deforestation it is even better to go for ebooks. Also, I observed, many people are into minimalist living now, where they also have the same concept of not keeping physical copies of books! Whatever it is, inculcate the habit of reading books!

Keep at least half an hour a day – “holy hour” – just for reading. See for yourself the change in life.

If you heard or experienced any similar interesting information on reading books, please do share!.

 

 Happy Reading!!