Improving Reading Culture In Nepal

Gopi Sapkota

Whenever I talk to my friends in Nepal, I don’t miss to ask them a simple question that is ‘how is the reading culture at present?’ The answer I get from them is not encouraging. 

Both my writer and academic friends express their concern about reading culture in Nepal; and they sincerely worry about the declining trend of reading habits among all age groups.

Social media has been playing a negative role to hinder the reading culture in modern societies. Facebook and TikTok users are seen being heavily obsessed with creating the materials that can go viral. 

The craze to be viral could be harmful as in many cases the matters that go viral carry the negative essence.

Many people believe that reading is a key to success. Naturally everyone wants to be successful. However, most of them seem to be not choosing an option to read. 

It exhibits a gap between their knowledge and practice that they know the importance of reading but do not practice it. Such gaps exist obviously in every part of life; however it is important that we try our best to narrow them.

Reading helps to broaden the knowledge and sharpen the creativity. 

It has multiple benefits. It helps to exercise the brain, imparting the knowledge, which makes us practical and empathetic to deal with different situation in life.

Reading fiction is motivational, as the readers are motivated by the character’s progress as seen in the fiction. If someone is reading a biography of a successful people, he or she can learn from their ups and downs. It also helps to increase the intelligence of decision making. 

One might question what to read, and for those who ponder over this, I have an answer. To me, reading fiction is for pleasure and non-fiction is for knowledge. 

It is up to the readers’ choice to pick one based on what they are looking for. However, it is not the definite demarcation; as such any reading can give both knowledge and pleasure simultaneously. 

There are multiple benefits of reading. It helps to open up the creative mind as well as support to develop the critical thinking skills; which ultimately aids to develop the skills of problem solving. 

In addition, reading gives knowledge that boosts the confidence. 

In England, you can see the people of all ages looking for books in the library and the book shops; whichever part of the country you go. They read even when they are traveling in the train, or the bus. 

Anyone working in any professional sector needs to read for their continuous professional development; like the doctors need to upgrade themselves with new development in medical sector. 

Other professionals also need to keep up to date in their respective areas. 

Hence, it is a time that we need to think and do something to develop and improve the reading culture in Nepal.