How many of us have actually touched a book lately? For most, it’s been days, months, or even years. Reading a book now feels like a challenge. Just the thought makes us tired or bored. A book... out of all the things in the world, is this our next thought? Or maybe a book? What is that?? It sounds so foreign, that’s our second thought! Followed by, who has the time? No time is the next flimsy excuse. For both the young and the old, thinking about reading a book can be stressful. I’m no different. I’ll get back to myself later, but why is this happening to all of us? 

We all understand that books can be our best friends. Books help us reflect on ourselves. They ease boredom and calm our minds, bringing happiness, fulfillment, purpose, and direction into our lives. This helps us stay present, connect with ourselves, and more. In an age of ‘instant’ gratification, reading a book, whether fiction or non-fiction, can be time-consuming and often feels unrewarding. Right? Our good old days inspire us to pick up a book. We look back on the golden days of our childhood when books were our favorite pastime. But as soon as we pick it up, we close it again. My parents are avid readers even now, but I haven’t been able to be like them, even though I try. Why? Leave alone reading a book, reading a newspaper sounds like a distant dream. 

No doubt, technology has become an indispensable part of our lives. Furthermore, AI is here to stay. Rather than being consumers of technology, we have allowed technology to consume us, making it an inseparable, irreplaceable part of our daily routines. When asked about their favourite hobbies, most kids these days either say watching reels while scrolling through their phone or playing games on their smartphone / smart TV, / playstation. And adults...take a pause! Only silence. I doubt whether the era of smartphones, smart TVs, and ‘smart’ devices has made us smarter or dumber (we don’t apply our minds now!), but it has definitely led to a lack of focus, impatience, and shorter attention spans. A device that was supposed to bridge gaps and bring us closer has now created distance among family members. In a family of four, all four live separate lives. The father has a smartphone, and the mother has one too! The kids either have access to phones or smart TVs. At home, or outside, all four are glued to their smart devices, mindlessly scrolling, either watching a 2-minute reel or playing games. Each one seems happy in the family because there is no disturbance or interference from any family member, and everyone has their own space or is occupied in it! Earlier, we used to look forward to hearing our mother’s voice. Be it a mother’s loving tone or a reprimanding one, we used to adore the feeling of listening to her. These days, kids put on headphones and barely listen to what their mothers are trying to communicate, let alone enjoy their presence. They find the smart devices more consoling and comforting than their mother’s soulful voice. Modernity or advancement? 

Furthermore, we need a smart device whenever we eat, snack, have a cup of tea or coffee, do household chores, or when the family is together; it must be there, running in the background. A phone or a television has become an easy-to-use solution for parents to tame an unruly child or keep them quiet for some time. Elders also buy time and space for themselves by handing over a gadget. The child keeps himself occupied by watching a reel or playing a game. As a parent, I am no exception. We are happy. All are happy! Now, where is the role of a ‘book’ here? The ardent supporters of technology say it’s okay. But for people like me, the guilt remains. 

Whenever I ask my son to read a book, he finds it difficult. For him, watching a reel or a YouTuber is more enjoyable and immediately satisfying. He says it helps him escape the daily pressures as he gets absorbed in social media. The same thing applies to us adults, too. For example, I pick up a book to read. I feel good. But immediately, the phone right in front of me pulls my attention. I stop reading, pick up the phone, and start scrolling. Then I go back to my household chores. I do the same at work, too! Having a phone with me feels like having a lifelong friend who will never leave me alone or make me feel bored or isolated. The thought of it is just so amazing, right? 

We get so engrossed in watching others' lives, their daily routines, and celebrities' lives on social media that we take pleasure in becoming part of them and start living in a utopian world. We forget that we have our own lives and our families, too!

At this juncture, the thought of reading a book sounds old-fashioned and old-school, right? 

I don’t blame technology alone. It exists to make our lives easier. It is a boon to humanity. We can learn so much from it and stay up to date. But we should not let technology overwhelm our lives and our relationships. It should be given its due place; however, as individuals with a conscience, we should know where to draw the line. Parents must draw the red line. In the past, we used to read books as if there was no tomorrow. Now, we are told and shown by YouTube influencers to read at least 10 pages a day, or at least flip a page each day. Books have now become mere showpieces on a shelf. We look up in awe at people who read books. We have no idea about the books in the market or the authors, let alone the well-known ones. Children are totally out of sync because the elders are nowhere to be found, reading one. Let us not make book reading a mere namesake. Let us not relegate ourselves to - once upon a time…there were books, and we used to read them! Make reading a habit, a daily ritual. Put that damn phone down, pick up a book, and start reading. Connect with yourselves thus, and stay relevant. ADULTS AND KIDS ALIKE. 

Namaste!