Ratan Keshri
Do you remember the last time you read a good book? In today’s fast-paced life, what we read and how we read it is changing rapidly. Books, which were once considered the deepest source of knowledge, thought, and imagination, are now getting lost in the noise of screens and scrolling. I believe that life is not as busy as we try to make it appear to the world. In fact, the problem is not the lack of time, but the lack of prioritization. What we truly choose matters more. Today, whether students or youth, as soon as they get a little free time from school, college studies, and other responsibilities, they don’t turn to books but directly to their mobile phones and computers. Chatting with friends for hours, watching statuses on social media, sharing memes, or just drifting through the internet this has become their way of “relaxing.” The direct consequence of this is that their connection with books is almost breaking. They may not even realize how a good book can deeply change their way of thinking. They don’t know that beyond textbooks, there is an entire world of novels, autobiographies, thought-provoking articles, and stories, which can not only increase their knowledge but also shape their personality. Another downside of this distance is the rapid spread of misinformation. When people no longer have the habit of reading, when they don’t try to understand things deeply, they immediately believe whatever they see online. They think, “If it’s on the internet, it must be true.” This mindset becomes the easiest way for rumors and false information to spread. Sometimes, it feels like we have stopped trying to know, understand, and think, and this is quietly, gradually weakening us.
Why is reading books better than watching films? Watching movies is a good form of entertainment, typically lasting two to three hours. They provide us with entertainment and also teach us something. However, reading books offers a completely different experience. My professor Dr. Umesh Kumar once said that when we read a book, all our senses become active. As we read, we enter a world of imagination where images begin to form in our minds. Books are not finished in a day. As we go through chapters, our curiosity grows, and we get completely immersed in the story. Books not only provide more accurate information but also enhance concentration, imagination, and creative thinking.
Books as our best friend The most special thing about books is that they never deceive you. Where human relationships may change with time, selfishness, and circumstances, books stay by your side without any selfish motive. Books neither ask for anything from you nor disappoint you. They are with you at all times, in every mood, quietly but completely dedicated. Their companionship is a friendship that never breaks.
They make your speaking skills more influential Reading different types of writings enhances your ability to explore and analyze things and situations. This way, a vast source of knowledge keeps accumulating within you, and with this knowledge, you learn to speak according to any situation. You can attract people with your words while connecting with them.
They provide a new direction to thinking In today’s competitive age, creative thinking is crucial for success. To stay ahead in this competition, your mind should constantly be filled with new ideas, which is only possible if your mind is calm and free of stress. If your mind is filled with tension or anxiety, it will not be able to think creatively, and you will feel a lack of good ideas. This is why the habit of reading not only keeps your mind calm but also enhances your creativity. When you read various types of writings, your thinking expands, helping you understand and solve any situation in a better way.
Conclusion
In this online, dazzling world, we always worry about getting lost. In this situation, books help us. Books not only help in understanding the difference between reel and reality, but they also give our thinking the right direction. They inspire us to think deeply and understand the purpose of our life. In this way, books offer us an opportunity to disconnect from the noise of the outside world and connect with our inner world, so that we can make the right decisions and move forward towards our goals.
(The writer is student of M.A in Mass Communication and New Media Central University of Jammu)