Reading Culture

Painfully, a decline can be incessantly observed in the reading culture from young minds to experienced ones globally, despite an increasingly expanding access to digital connectivity. Among many vanishing, long-established, time-honoured cultures and traditions, presently, reading culture stands out notably.

In times long gone, reading used to be enthusiastically glorified and collectively admired because of its divine nature, equipping passionate readers with one-of-a-kind knowledge and aiding them in becoming holistically well-versed individuals. Historically, sages teaching from under a tree, without being adorned in proper dress code, to students in bare feet with only some leaves in their hands to write, the culture of teaching and learning activities have been significantly revolutionised. 

Although the concept of reading may have been new for people in the past, their dedication to learning new things through limited means and the challenges they faced in the process of acquiring knowledge should be respectfully appreciated. Regardless of the circumscribed access to books, people, irrespective of their age and background, poured their minds and souls into reading, ultimately extracting knowledge profoundly and using it to their advantage. 

As and when there is a growing reading culture, not only will the readers get recognition but also a healthy, encouraging, and education-prioritised society will be formed, which courageously enables people to raise their distinct voices, know the uniquely challenging problems, and eventually share the responsibilities of imparting knowledge and wisdom. 

Moreover, reading empowers the disadvantaged and downtrodden members of society, giving them much-needed relief by inculcating in them inimitable ideas and advocating for their seized rights. The reading culture has undergone significant reforms in different phases, along with its method of acquisition. For instance, the only possible way of receiving knowledge in the past was through a guru (a teacher), which is now not the case. The availability of books in the present time has increased by leaps and bounds, allowing everyone to immerse themselves in reading, almost effortlessly.

That being said, the present reality of books, novels, and their writers is painfully heart-wrenching, notwithstanding the thick and fast mediums available to acquire extensive reading materials. Especially with the advent of technological advancement, including AI, an increasing number of writers appear to be contemplating their forthcoming future, remembering the past glory and admirable career they once enjoyed, and contrastingly comparing and regretting their choice to be writers. 

I, however, personally think that the reading culture can and should be re-emerged, reintegrated, and reintroduced by leveraging the astronomical potential of what I call the talk of the town, i.e., technological might. Given its wide recognition and comprehensive acknowledgment, it can pioneer the slowly dying reading habit by presenting people with digitally versioned books and ensuring the future of encouraging and promising writers.

Books are intertwined with our lives; not only do they help us make wise choices and impactful decisions, but they also guide us in the direction of righteousness. Thus, it is our shared responsibility to take stock of its painful reality and painstackingly give a helping hand in making it a vivaciously sought-after source of knowledge once again.