Dr KG Vijayalekshmy
Director of Sandepani, Innovative Stress-free School, India
INTRODUCTION
On the eve of Reading Day, June 19th, I wish to share a few reflections that dwell deep within me—thoughts shaped by the companionship of books, the smell of old pages, the weight of unwritten wisdom, and the enduring beauty of words.
Reading, often taken for granted in today’s fast-paced digital world, is not a mere act of skimming lines. It is an art—a cultivated discipline, like painting or music, that demands the reader’s attention, imagination, and soul. To read with understanding is to breathe life into words. As Jorge Luis Borges said, “I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” The ability to immerse oneself in another’s thoughts, culture, and spirit is not a passive act—it is active creation, interpretation, and dialogue.
Each book opens a door to a new life. Between the covers of a great book lies not just a story, but an entire world. As Franz Kafka once said, “A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us.” With each turn of the page, we rediscover ourselves. Whether it is a philosophy that alters our worldview, a novel that makes us weep, or a biography that instils courage, reading renews the soul. Every encounter with a book has the potential to become a moment of rebirth.
THE GREAT DEBATE: PHYSICAL READING VS DIGITAL READING
Consider the words of C.S. Lewis: “We read to know we are not alone.” Indeed, when we read, we live many lives—sometimes that of a king, other times of a soldier, a farmer, a child, or a philosopher. It is in these many lives that we experience empathy, wisdom, and clarity.
Physical books vs online reading: a harmonious coexistence, weaving in more reflections, studies, and literary touches to give it a fuller shape:
The debate between physical books and online reading is ongoing, but both have their virtues, and both can enrich a reader’s life in different yet complementary ways.
Physical books offer an experience that is deeply sensory and emotional. The rustle of a page, the quiet weight of a hardbound volume in your hand, the aged scent of yellowed paper—these are small rituals that bring intimacy and reverence to the act of reading. Margins invite us to scribble thoughts; dog-eared pages mark emotional landmarks. This tangible interaction cultivates a bond, turning a book into a companion.
Beyond nostalgia, physical reading offers psychological advantages. Numerous studies suggest that reading printed text leads to improved comprehension, deeper concentration, and better memory retention. The spatial context—remembering that a certain idea was on the left-hand page, halfway through the book—enhances the cognitive map a reader forms. Reading on paper tends to encourage slower, more reflective engagement, helping ideas take root and grow.
Digital reading, meanwhile, has revolutionized access to information. What once required travel, storage, and cost can now be reached within seconds. E-books, articles, and PDFs allow readers—especially in remote or underprivileged areas—to explore worlds previously out of reach. For students and researchers, the ability to search, highlight, and cross-reference texts instantly is a powerful tool. Moreover, customizable text sizes, night modes, and screen readers have made reading more inclusive than ever.
The digital medium is ideal for casual reading, rapid learning, and multitasking in an age defined by speed. It democratizes learning. A teenager in a rural village can today access the same classic texts, research papers, or poetry that once graced the shelves of elite institutions.
But the true reader need not choose. Instead of seeing these formats as rivals, we must embrace them as partners. A physical book may anchor you at home, while a digital version may travel with you on a train. A printed novel may be savoured before sleep, while an e-journal is browsed during a break. Together, they cater to different moods, needs, and environments.
As Umberto Eco once said, “The book is like the spoon, the wheel, the hammer, the scissors: once invented, it cannot be improved.” And yet, the e-book too is a marvel of human ingenuity—an evolution rather than a replacement.
In the end, what matters is not the platform, but the presence of reading in our lives. Whether digital or printed, let us continue to read—deeply, widely, and often.
THE JOY OF BUYING BOOKS AND BUILDING A PERSONAL LIBRARY
There is a quiet happiness in buying books and placing them on one’s personal shelf. Each book is a potential conversation, a silent friend waiting to be heard. The sight of an overflowing bookshelf is not a display of material possession—it is a garden of ideas, a map of intellectual wanderings.
Even books unread serve a purpose: they remind us of the infinite nature of knowledge. And when we return to a shelf and pull out an old title, the act is like greeting an old friend after many years. As Cicero once said, “A room without books is like a body without a soul.”
KNOWLEDGE SHARING
Suggesting a book to a friend, gifting a copy, or simply speaking about what one has read—these are noble acts. They are gestures of care, ways of extending one’s inner world to others. Knowledge must flow. It is in sharing that knowledge transforms into collective wisdom.
Reading circles, book clubs, literary evenings—these are essential cultural spaces. They not only foster thought but build communities bound by a love of truth and beauty.
ICONIC LIBRARIES: OUR NEED, OUR RIGHT
In this context, the state of many public libraries in our country is, unfortunately, disheartening. Dusty shelves, outdated catalogues, broken furniture, early closing hours, and archaic lending rules paint a tragic picture. A library should be a sanctuary of thought—not a neglected relic.
The need of the hour is for iconic libraries in every city—open 24 hours, well-lit, welcoming, digitally equipped, with Wi-Fi, power outlets, soundproof study pods, coffee corners, and above all, librarians who are scholars themselves. Each library must allow generous lending policies (at least 50 books at a time), organize three daily sessions with authors, host research residencies, and promote intellectual dialogue.
Imagine such a space—where students, researchers, thinkers, and dreamers gather under one roof. Where the architecture itself inspires awe. Where silence is golden, but ideas are loud. Slowly, these libraries can become knowledge hubs—global sanctuaries of learning that attract minds from across the world.
CONCLUSION
Reading Day is not merely a date on the calendar; it is a call to renew our commitment to books, libraries, and the pursuit of truth. It is a reminder that while technology evolves, the heart of civilization remains the written word. Let us celebrate reading not just as a hobby, but as a philosophy of life—a sacred art that brings joy, wisdom, and freedom.
Let us build a culture where every child has access to books, every reader has a space to reflect, and every city boasts a library that is not just functional, but iconic.
