On Reading Books

‘Is the habit of reading books on the wane in India in this age of Electronic Media and the Internet?’ This was posed by Mr.Evercurious when we were all having Bondas and coffee at the drive-in restaurant.

Quickly sprang-up Mr.Know-all with a reply. He said, ‘No, not at all. According to many surveys including the Nielsen Youth Book Readership survey, India is one of the few countries, where book readership is on a climbing path.

Mr.Doubtful said, ‘I am not sure. Before the advent of TV, I remember we were all avid readers. Circulating libraries were special places to go, get the latest books and meet other buffs to discuss books of all kinds and exchange notes. They don’t seem to be around anymore’. 

Mr.Know-all said, ‘Look, you have to take into account the spread of education and literacy because of the huge growth in population. While people who belong to Mr.Doubtful’s section of society may have been reading less, there is an altogether new and very large readership from upwardly mobile, social sections. You would never have heard of millions of copies of books of single authors sold as it is happening with Chetan Bhagath and Amish Tripathi, not to mention S.L.Bhyrappa.’

Mr.Doubtful said,’ I am lucky to belong to a family where the reading habit was actively encouraged. Everyone read. Books, Magazines, even paper wrappers of grocery items! It was not unusual to find someone with a book even while eating and reading late into night was a common thing. Now, when you go visiting, all you see is people glued to the TV screen or fiddling around with their smart phones. No books in sight. Also, you hear of how so many successful book stores of yesteryears are closing down’.

Mr.Don’tcare said, ‘Our family never read except school or college books. In fact, my uncle used to tell us children, ‘Don’t read too much. Or your head will heat up!’ I read only sports magazines mostly because they are illustrated’.

Mr.Joker said, ‘No one accused you of being a hotHEAD! And I know which other type of illustrated magazines you read!’

Mr.Wiseman said. ‘Don’t undervalue book reading. Only a well-read person will know its worth. Let me give you some famous quotes.

A book is a device to ignite the imagination. – Alan Bennett

Books were my pass to personal freedom. – Oprah Winfrey

Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life. – Mark Twain

 Books are a uniquely portable magic. – Stephen King

 No matter what his rank or position may be, the lover of books is the richest and the happiest. – J.A. Langford

Mr.Doubtful said. ‘Enough Sir! Or we will be drowned in quotations. As they say, ‘To each, his own. Let the readers read and non-readers at least look at the pictures like Mr.Don’tcare!’