KATHMANDU, JUNE 06

Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho was once asked by a journalist: "Could you please give some advice for those who wish to become a good writer like you?" To which the witty writer replied: "I have three pieces of advice for aspiring writers: Read! Read!! Read!!!"

As millions of Nepali school children start their new academic session, the hangover of the pandemic interrupted for the past two years remains.

Teachers have found that the reading, writing and speaking ability of students has declined.

Blame the gadgets, social media and online games that enticed them away from reading a book.

Especially teenage studentshad great difficulty adjusting to the 'new normal'. Trapped inside their claustrophobic resident for months, they became obsessed with the virtual world of internet games and social media influencers. Children neglected their habit of reading books. They became like zombies, staring at their smartphone screen all day, all night.

Remember children learn by imitating adults. If they see their elders staring at their smartphones all day, it is obvious that children will emulate that.

"A good book is always your best teacher. A good book is always your best friend". Parents should invest more money on buying bookshelves at home, filling them with books – encyclopedias, fiction, nonfiction, magazines and newspapers. Instead of squandering your hard earned money on clothes, gadgets and restaurants, why don't you save that money to buy books? A book is forever. They say diamonds are forever, but that is a lie. A diamond will not remain with us after our death, but a book's knowledge will remain in our soul forever.

Moreover, every family must become subscribers to at least one national newspaper. I have been a subscriber of The Himalayan Times for so many years, it has shaped my academic life.

Of course, some may opine that everything is now available in online apps. But I disagree.

Nothing can beat the real genuine pleasure of holding a book in one's hand. Flipping through the pages, sometimes new books emit a lovely fragrance in the air, which a reader finds fantastic. A cup of tea and a good book in hand, on a rainy afternoon – that is a good life.

I have often observed that middle class Nepali do not hesitate to spend money on the latest smartphones, branded clothes and eating delicacies.

But when it comes to books, they are surprisingly reluctant.

Even once famous public libraries like AWON appear deserted nowadays.

In public spaces, I see hundreds of people staring at their smartphones. But I see nobody reading a book. Old fashioned book lovers (bibliophiles) are almost extinct. Or maybe they have become these smartphone zombies.

A version of this article appears in the print on June 7, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.