Nowadays, very few children ask their parents for books. Only a small number have a favorite writer, poet, or literary figure! Bengalis spend the least on literature. Yet, buying books is not an expense but an investment—something many fail to understand. Children’s demands now include expensive smartphones, laptops, or computers. Instead of going to the playground, they gather in secret hangouts. Instead of scoring goals on the field, they sit idle, engrossed in internet games. Hours pass by as they lie in closed rooms, playing games endlessly.
The intelligence of today’s children is no less than before. They achieve excellent results in SSC and HSC exams and excel in academic studies. This is because parents keep a close watch and maintain discipline up to a certain age. However, as children grow older, gain independence, and fall into bad company, they lose their way. Tremendous potential gets destroyed before it can bloom. Their sense of humanity declines severely. Basic manners and courtesy disappear. Social interactions become almost non-existent. Many children shatter their parents’ hopes and dreams, slipping into darkness. Society suffers wounds, and the state bears the burden!
Under the guise of modernity, we have abandoned the habit of reading books and adopted numerous bad habits. Increasing the pass rate in exams and nurturing a generation of truly knowledgeable individuals are not the same thing. The habit of reading is nearly absent. If children can name Messi and Ronaldo but not famous literary figures, we should not be surprised! Many do not even know about Sarat Chandra or Bankim Chandra. Students achieve excellent results in secondary and higher secondary exams, yet struggle with university admissions. This is because they have not even properly studied their textbooks. They rely entirely on study guides and shortcuts to pass exams, earning A+ grades like floodwaters sweeping away everything in their path.
Libraries in cities and towns stand in silence, resembling museums. No one even visits them out of curiosity. Books are there, but they lack life. The absence of readers has left their covers coated in dust. Gone are the days when students would gather for reading circles in schools, colleges, or universities. Now, Facebook has replaced books. If someone understands the world yet does not own a smartphone or use Facebook, finding them would require forming a search team!
Recent statistics show that Bangladesh is among the top countries with the highest number of Facebook users. Excessive use of Facebook reduces brain capacity, makes people impatient, and diminishes problem-solving abilities. Besides harming the brain, it also damages eyesight. Facebook has become the biggest obstacle to reading habits. It is addictive—whoever falls into its trap is consumed by it.
Students today can be made to do anything except study. They serve political leaders, engage in drug use, gamble online, disrespect others, and behave in an arrogant and narrow-minded way. If asked to study, they react with hostility, as if books are their worst enemy. They eagerly join rallies and protests but refuse to enter a library. In rural areas, only a handful of boys now return home in the evening. Parents assume that if their children achieve good grades, they will automatically become good people and secure prestigious jobs. However, if parents remain passive, neglecting to monitor and guide their children, disaster is inevitable. The easy availability of the internet and unrestricted access to various websites are leading to moral decline and physical deterioration. Society is already experiencing the negative effects of not reading books, and the cost of this negligence is increasing over time. The community is now held hostage by teenage gangs. People fear speaking up in front of them. Today’s youth do not think twice before disrespecting others.
How can we save our children from the brink of destruction? We must create an environment that fosters reading. Instead of dictating what children should read, we should encourage reading habits. To build their moral values and protect them from social decay and crime, we must replace smartphones with books in their hands. Parents, teachers, educational institutions, and the state must work together to ensure that children find joy in reading. They should also be encouraged to play outdoor and indoor games, which will keep them physically fit while also nurturing their minds.
Books should be our constant companions. We should always carry a book while traveling. Books are not heavy! If given a suitable reading environment, even reading a few pages daily can shape a person’s character. To enlighten oneself, one must borrow light from books. There is no substitute for books in character building, finding happiness, or avoiding enmity. Give books as gifts on children’s birthdays, for good academic results, or to encourage positive behavior. However, keep in mind that if parents and teachers do not read books themselves, children and students will not develop an interest in reading. Reading habits are cultivated through the surrounding environment. Read books and build a refined, cultured life.
