Reading books: A lost joie de vivre

-By Bipasha

Ever since my childhood, I remember books being an essential component in everyday conversations - be it be, aunties chatting over tea and biscuits or relatives getting together on special occasions or even my mum and dad catching up with each in midst of their everyday chores. My early memories of books were when the ever-generous maasis, aunties and uncles would gift me colorful story books and easy to read encyclopedias on their numerous visits and my birthdays! During each and every transfer order that my dad used to bring home, he used to also add one more packing carton for the new books in the collection. The rustlings of the old tattered pages while my mother sipping her morning cup of tea, the occasional dusting of the books, the memories associated with each book and my OCD of encasing each new acquisition of mine in cellophane are one of the many cherished occurrences of my life. However, in today’s fast paced world interspersed with casting ‘phrasey’ opinions on social media and BBMs, the romance of writing and reading have long gone.

Books were supposed to be one of the essential building blocks of a childhood instilling (whether knowingly or unknowingly) the virtues of patience, concentration and mnemonics. But in today’s technology-driven world, reading books have become passe. Video games, chats, twittering, FBing and BBming have taken over. Apparently social media usage among children expand their social horizons (as some of my friends have argued with me - but I doubt!) as opposed to reading a book in a corner, but my sense is that too much of the need for daily social acceptance has robbed us (not only the children) of spending time with our own selves and feeling comfortable with what we are. In fact, a recent research revealed that usage of excessive social media increases our sense of loneliness

(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2419419/All-lonely-Facebook-friends-Study-shows-social-media-makes-MORE-lonely-unhappy-LESS-sociable.html)

We are constantly harangued by the need to fit in, gain approvals and cast opinions (again to get inroads into preferred cliques) that unknowingly creates an invisible stress around us. On the other hand, reading books not only enriches our repository of knowledge but also can bring about revolutionary changes in a person’s outlook. It increases our capacity to think, understand and imbibe new linguistic skills. And for children, it is important that they read books to acquire a good vocabulary, instill self confidence in writing and oration and hone creativity. And if these are not reasons enough for you to embrace the goodness of reading books, atleast keep in mind that ‘ a book is your best friend who accepts you for what you are and never asks you what you could be!’