READING books is a very good habit as it not only helps us enlighten our minds but also broadens our mental horizon and enables us to enjoy a better quality of life. Reading books regularly stimulates our brain as physical exercise does to our bodies. Books provide us ample entertainment, reduce our stress, stimulate our minds, increase our knowledge, expand our vocabulary and enrich our analytical skills. Books allow us to forget the mundane issues of our day to day life and its problems.
But sadly the wonderful habit of reading books is on decline across the world including our country. The situation is changing even in the developed countries where books turning out as best sellers used to be sold in million copies until recently. The present generation spends more time surfing the internet, watching television or movies or browsing Facebook instead of reading books. In many houses today we shall not find any book except the text books of students.
The British Council Dhaka which once used to be vibrant with the footsteps of hundreds of college and university students visiting its library now looks barren and is hardly visited by students any more. The number of publications of the publishing houses is also declining alarmingly. We should make all efforts to stem the rot. There is no substitute for books and books cannot be replaced by machines. We should continue to read books and encourage our near and dear ones to do the same.
Mohammed Sohel Hara
Bonosree, Dhaka
