The Lost Touch
Syed Mustafa Ahmad
Books have been humanity’s greatest companions since the dawn of civilisation. They preserve knowledge, shape character, stimulate imagination, and illuminate minds. Every great civilisation has been built not merely by wealth or military strength but by ideas, and books are the storehouses of those ideas. Behind every enduring achievement lies a habit of learning and behind every habit of learning stands the culture of reading.
History bears testimony that the world’s greatest thinkers, scientists, philosophers, reformers, and leaders were devoted readers. They regarded books not as ornaments for shelves but as indispensable companions in their lifelong pursuit of knowledge. Even in today’s fast-paced world, many of the most successful personalities continue to devote a significant portion of their time to reading. Their achievements remind us that books remain one of the most reliable means of personal growth and intellectual excellence.
Sadly, this priceless culture is steadily fading into oblivion. Libraries that once echoed with the footsteps of eager readers now struggle to attract visitors, while social media platforms remain crowded day and night. Bookshelves gather dust as mobile screens dominate our attention. Reading, once considered a mark of refinement and wisdom, is increasingly viewed as an unnecessary luxury. This decline is not the result of a single factor. Rather, it is the outcome of a complex interaction of social, educational, technological, and cultural changes.
The foremost reason is our changing perception of success. Modern society often measures achievement solely in terms of wealth, luxury, and social status. Education has gradually become a means of acquiring certificates rather than knowledge. For many students, the objective is not to understand but merely to secure marks. Once examinations are over, learning also comes to an end. Such an education produces degree holders but rarely produces thinkers, innovators, or visionaries. A society that values paper qualifications more than genuine learning inevitably distances itself from books.
Equally responsible is the environment in which we live. Intellectual discussions have become increasingly rare, while superficial entertainment has become an inseparable part of daily life. Hours are spent scrolling through social media, engaging in endless gossip, or consuming content that offers momentary amusement but little lasting value. Reading a serious book demands patience, concentration, and reflection—qualities that modern lifestyles seldom encourage. Instead of celebrating intellectual achievement, society often glorifies material success alone. As a result, many young people grow up believing that books have little relevance to real life.
The digital revolution has undoubtedly transformed access to information. Millions of books, journals, research papers, and educational resources are available within seconds. Never before has knowledge been so accessible. Yet this blessing has also become a challenge. The internet constantly competes for our attention through endless notifications, short videos, online games, and algorithm-driven entertainment. The problem is not technology itself but the manner in which it is used. Instead of becoming a gateway to knowledge, it often becomes a source of distraction. Continuous exposure to fragmented content weakens our ability to concentrate, reflect deeply, and engage with long-form reading.
The decline of reading culture also reflects weaknesses within our educational system. Many schools continue to prioritise examinations over understanding, memorisation over curiosity, and competition over creativity. Students are burdened with completing syllabi but are seldom encouraged to explore books beyond the prescribed curriculum. Libraries exist in many institutions merely as formalities, while reading periods, literary clubs, and meaningful discussions receive little attention. Education should inspire a lifelong love for learning rather than reduce knowledge to examination scores.
Parents, too, have an indispensable role to play. A child’s first school is the home, and parents are the first teachers. Children naturally imitate what they observe. If they grow up in homes where books are valued, conversations are meaningful, and learning is celebrated, reading becomes a natural habit. Conversely, if homes revolve entirely around television, smartphones, and endless entertainment, children are unlikely to develop an interest in books. A small home library can often become the foundation of a child’s intellectual journey.
Governments cannot remain indifferent to this growing crisis. The intellectual strength of a nation depends not merely on roads, buildings, or industries but also on the quality of its educational and cultural institutions. Public libraries, community reading programmes, literary festivals, and affordable access to books deserve far greater attention than they presently receive. Investment in books is an investment in human capital. Every library established today becomes a beacon of knowledge for generations to come.
At a deeper level, the disappearance of reading culture is also linked with the erosion of values. A society that ceases to read gradually loses its capacity for critical thinking, empathy, and independent judgement. Without reading, people become increasingly vulnerable to misinformation, prejudice, manipulation, and shallow thinking. The decline of thoughtful public discourse, growing intolerance, corruption, moral confusion, and the weakening of civic responsibility all have roots in intellectual stagnation. Books not only educate the mind but also cultivate wisdom, compassion, and ethical responsibility.
Perhaps the greatest obstacle, however, lies within ourselves. We frequently complain that we have no time to read, yet we spend countless hours on activities that leave no lasting impact on our lives. We desire instant success, instant entertainment, and instant gratification. Reading, however, offers no shortcuts. It requires patience, discipline, humility, and sustained effort. Yet every page read broadens our perspective, every chapter deepens our understanding, and every book transforms us in ways that no fleeting digital content can.
Reviving the reading culture requires a collective movement rather than isolated efforts. Families must cultivate reading habits from early childhood. Schools should encourage extensive reading beyond textbooks and organise regular literary activities. Universities must promote research, discussion, and independent inquiry. Governments should strengthen public libraries, establish community reading centres, organise book fairs, and make quality books affordable for all sections of society. Writers, publishers, educators, and the media must work together to restore respect for books and learning.
Reading should never remain the privilege of a select few. Every child, every student, every labourer, every professional, and every citizen should have the opportunity to discover the transformative power of books. A society in which books are respected is a society that values reason over ignorance, dialogue over prejudice, and wisdom over superficiality.
The revival of reading culture is not merely an educational necessity; it is a moral, social, and civilizational imperative. Nations do not rise solely through economic growth or technological advancement. They rise when their citizens cultivate informed minds, noble character, and a lifelong thirst for knowledge. Books remain the most faithful companions in this journey. If we truly aspire to build an enlightened, prosperous, and humane society, we must once again place books at the centre of our lives. For when a society begins to read, it begins to think; when it begins to think, it begins to progress; and when it progresses through knowledge, it secures a future that no force can easily destroy.
(The author is a teacher)
