The lure of instant, titillating digital content and academic shortcuts is overshadowing traditional reading. This raises concerns about long-term intellectual development.
Athar Islam
The reading habits of Kashmiri youth have declined in recent years, a trend experts believe will adversely affect their creative instincts and analytical acumen. Long ago, an unknown sage observed that “books are the greatest treasure of man”. Reading broadly has always been considered essential for mastering content and is regarded as the best way to promote learning among students. However, the culture of reading books is disappearing in the Valley. Many parents and educational analysts feel several factors have influenced young minds, preventing them from engaging with books beyond their prescribed syllabi.
According to many parents and teachers, this decline is mainly due to students’ growing reliance on ready-made study materials available in the market. Students no longer spend time reading books while preparing for exams and are unwilling to expand their knowledge beyond immediate academic requirements.
Educational analysts cite two further factors for this shrinking reading culture: the pervasive influence of modern communication gadgets, the internet, and electronic media. A large portion of Kashmiri students now depend on the internet for study material, viewing it as less time-consuming and more affordable than physical books.
Today, most young people seek comfort in the titillating content provided by digital media. They prefer to spend their time consuming such media rather than immersing themselves in books.
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