Renowned author and Congress MP, Shashi Tharoor, expressed deep concern over the diminishing pleasure of reading among today's youth during a lecture commemorating N.E. Balakrishna Marar, the founder of Poorna Publications and Touring Book Stall. The two-day literature festival, organized by the group, served as the platform for Tharoor's reflections on the changing reading habits of children.
In his address, Tharoor disclosed the frequent inquiries he receives from young individuals, prompted by eager parents seeking advice on developing a robust vocabulary. His consistent response is succinct: "read." However, he underscored the troubling trend that reading is no longer synonymous with pleasure for many children.
The acclaimed author highlighted the shift where reading has become intertwined with academic obligations, limited to textbooks and school studies. Tharoor observed that, for today's youth, pleasure is often derived from screens—be it mobile phones, PlayStations, or Nintendo—rather than the joy of reading.
The impact of the pandemic further exacerbated this reliance on screens, especially when individuals were confined to their homes. Tharoor expressed his dismay at encountering numerous children who have never read a book for enjoyment, viewing it solely as a classroom requirement. He deemed this loss as significant and attributed it to a failure in conveying the joy of reading, a mistake successive generations of parents and teachers have made.
Despite this grim assessment, Tharoor emphasized that there is still time to address and rectify the situation if awareness is raised. He also delved into his writing, noting that his books predominantly explore the vast and complex facets of India. He asserted that English, devoid of regional constraints, best captures the diversity of the country. Additionally, he maintained a connection to his non-Anglophone roots and pre-urban heritage.
The literary award named after Balakrishna Marar was presented to Tharoor by writer Sara Joseph, marking a recognition of his significant contributions to literature.
