Reading Week Celebration: Message by Tiny Teacher, Dept. of English.

 “Why don’t you stop gazing at the mobile phone and read something instead?”  Parents are usually heard saying this to children these days.  Very often a smart phone is seen as a device that blocks reading.  It is under this presumption that the older generation scolds their children in this manner.  But the truth might be that reading has increased with the advent of smart phones.  It gives us easy access to all sorts of reading material always and everywhere.  E books are available at the tip of our fingers.  Hence it would be inappropriate to ask a child to keep aside the phone and read something.  He might as well be reading something on the phone.    
Nevertheless, we must see through the pitfalls that come with these gadgets.  They offer more visual contents like videos and pictures than reading material.  Visuals are certainly more appealing than any reading material even to adults, let alone children.  It is quite natural that the visuals catch our attention than textual matter.  Then why read at all?  If we can get knowledge by watching something, then why insist on reading? This could be the question that follows.  No.  The answer is that the purpose of reading is not merely gaining knowledge.
When we read, we ignite our imagination.  When we read something, we visualize what we read according to our imagination.  For instance, when we read the words ‘a big mountain’ the size of the mountain is decided by the reader not the writer.  It varies according to the imagination of different readers.   On the other hand, when you are given a visual, there is no scope for a mental image beyond the given picture.  That would mean that when reading ends imagination ends too.  It is with our imagination that man has achieved such progress over the various stages of evolution.  All our inventions and discoveries are the results of imagination.  Hence it is very important to keep our imagination active.  The habit of reading gives great nourishment to our imagination.  Hence it would not be desirable to replace reading with anything else.  

Reading day/week should not be seen as a day for reading, or a week for reading.  Rather, it is a day that reminds us of the importance of reading.  Once we realize the importance of reading it becomes part of our routine and we continue reading without being compelled by others.  So, first we must realize the significance of reading and then consciously make efforts to keep reading as much as possible.  Also, it is important to read what you like.  There is nothing wrong in selective reading.  Be it from books or from digital content, let our reading be in keeping with our tastes and interests.  While reading we need not be conscious of the ultimate goals of reading.  Just read… read for the sheer joy of it...