Importance of Reading books
Sadia Baloch
The Balochistan Post
A book basically is a written or printed work that contains pages bound in a cover. Writing and reading dates back to primordial times when our ancestors adopted various techniques for writing purposes. For example during the middle Bronze Age Clay Tablets were used as a writing tool. After writing, the tablets were heated in order to dry them. Woods, Bones, Shells, Papyrus etc were also used in the past to write things on.
Every day thousands of books are published globally. From 2011 to 2013 more than 2,267,265 new books were published throughout the world. Publishing of books varies with countries. It is higher in developed countries as compared to developing countries. In worlds, most populated country China with a population of 1.14 billion approximately 440,000 books were published in 2013. In India ( population 1.35 billion) 90,000 books got published in 2013 including both Hindi and English language books. In United States (population 326.77 million) 304,912 books were published in 2013. In Russia (population 143.96 million) more than 120,512 books were published in the same year. Whereas in United Kingdom (population 66.57 million) more than 100,000 books are published each year.
Without a doubt, books are the best means of entertainment, and in no uncertain terms. Reading is a dynamic skill for making oneself a better person from within. Reading of books is a source of joy and relaxation for the mind as well as for the body. It deeply connects one with humanity and it also gives inner peace. During the process of reading one can come across a number of different situations, which can then help one in identifying himself. The more one reads books the more one understands things. Reading books is also an escape from the harsh world. At depression state, reading a book is the most extraordinary thing to do as it can take one into a rose-colored world. Reading is also an exercise for the brain as reading can help in sharpening it.
If one does not realize the value and prestige of reading books then neither he can have affection for humanity nor respect. Reading books makes one conscious of having freedom while teaching him the significance of being freed. Through reading one can go back to the history of ancient times, he can also travel to the unseen world exploring thousands of fascinating things with the different worlds of numerous writers. Reading books also makes one alive of its duties that might be social or one’s duties towards its motherland. Reading of books prepares one to be successful in the game of life. It also makes him ready to survive and taste the flavors of both failure and success.
Reading of books acts as a lantern in the dark days of slave nations. Reading books is extremely important for freedom struggling nations like Baloch nation. It burns the curtains of slavery while opening the doors of freedom. It makes a nation capable of distinguishing between freedom and slavery, justice and injustice, lightness and darkness etc.
Reading of books also gives the strength and courage to speak up against slavery, injustice, violence, genocides and much more. Today the Pakistani establishment and its army are inventing new techniques and methods in order to worsen the condition of Baloch people, in the same way, Baloch should also embrace all the means available in order to rebel against its enemy whether it’s in the form of a gun or a book.
However, if one does not read books he cannot pick a gun to save humanity because it is the book that guides the gun for saving humanity and rebelling against injustice. Reading of books can inspire a freedom struggling nation to bring new revolutions to their struggle.
For example, reading books on Guerrilla struggles and Nelson Mandela’s struggle against slavery can teach hundreds of things to a freedom struggling nation. Reading books on colonialism can give knowledge to Baloch about the presence of China and its nefarious designs on their land. Reading of books awakens a nation from the deep slumbers of slavery.
Reading books indeed is a healthy addiction to which everyone should be addicted to. Reading books, however, is good when one gets inspiration from reading and puts those inspirations in practical form. In summary, reading books can transform a nation from nothing to everything and vice versa.