At some point in our lives, we have all heard the saying, “Books are our best friends”. Yet today, the reading culture is fading, replaced by endless scrolling on screens. Books are quietly disappearing from our lives, forgotten and gathering dust on roadside stalls while our youth spend hours scrolling through reels instead of reading the literature that can broaden their perspectives.
This decline is an intellectual loss for our generation. Reading nurtures critical thinking and creativity, which are essential skills needed to thrive in today’s era. Parents should instill a love for books in children from an early age while schools and policymakers can also play their role in reviving the reading culture through open libraries, reading clubs and book festivals and by creating book banks or public spaces dedicated for reading.
It is time we limited our screen timing and replaced it with meaningful reading because what we consume today will be reflected in our actions tomorrow.
Mehak Fatima
Islamabad
