Thank you for holding up a much-needed mirror (“The roots of India’s disinterest in reading”). As a student, I apologise to you on behalf of non-book-readers like me, who are painfully aware of their ignorance, but still seem to be stuck.
In a today’s world where every thought feels unoriginal and a derivative of what we have watched on reels, or read on Substack, simply committing to reading a book and surrendering to the author for once is rare. I needed that reminder. – Vedika Jalan
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This article reflects the dark reality of society today. From the primary stages of school to the top tiers of education level, there is not even a single incentive for critical thinking, creativity or active reading. On the contrary, creativity and thinking are be harmful for a student as they do not get high marks and even face reduced employment prospects. Thank you, professor, for constantly reminding society about its failures. – Nitin Kumar
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As I spend my days trying to savour what’s left of my mind made fickle – partly by the age of reels, and partly by my unwillingness to fight it – I could feel the helplessness behind this article: of having to watch a society being hollowed out by convenience culture. I have read you, professor, and I hope you keep doing what you do. – Nida Majid
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It is true that reading as a culture will deteriorate with the decrease in attention spans and reels. It is up to the teachers, like you, and parents to inculcate reading among children. The gift of reading continues, even if it is on an electronic device. Or a reading period where a child is given a book to reads for 30 minutes.
Articles like these, famous people speaking on books and how it changed them, are encouraging. Perhaps, with time, things change and less humans learn and evolve. I am encouraged by your article to inculcate reading in my five-year-old. – Ankita Singh
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I felt the causes may have been analysed in more detail. Children in schools where English is taught and spoken have a large variety of attractive English books to choose from. But libraries in government schools or private Hindi-medium schools are poorly stocked. In the last decade or so there has been improvement in the availability and quality of Hindi books.
But efforts to improve reading and comprehension must be supported by schools and teachers in collaboration with the community. – Anwar Jafri
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As a teacher, I agree with the author and also share his despair. – Anindita Mukhopadhyay
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Modern distractions like reels and videos have destroyed of critical thinking and led to moral bankruptcy. It is sad that nobody cares about what is happening with this generation. – Azhar Ishaq Khan
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I could not agree with you more and can relate to every thought expressed in this article. Having dabbled in journalism and also teaching in schools and preparing students for entrance examinations, I have spent a lot of time agonising over this disinterest in reading. Let us continue to do what we do best and enjoy it. Happy reading, writing and teaching. – Prabha Suresh
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In the rush of life, thank for the reminder that words are pauses. I believe readers will always find a way, and maybe even enjoyment, whether it is reading the back of a pamphlet or Kabir’s dohas. Looking forward to more of your thought-provoking pieces. – Purba Banerjee
No sympathy for poor workers
Salaried workers now earn less than they did in 2017 while the richest 10% hold about 65% of the total wealth and the bottom 50% only 6.4% (“How Modi’s policies and India’s monopolists are weakening labour power – and democracy”). The same group which feels the agony is mainly responsible for bringing the ruler back in power in election after election, so sympathy towards them is misplaced. When the majority swings in the direction of what is best for a prosperous life, no force can work against it. – Sreenivasa Murthy Mellachervu
Being Muslim in India
This is an excellent article (“A low-grade fever, a relentless sadness: Being Muslim in the New India that is Bharat”). – Subiman Kundu
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