GUEST COLUMN
Dr BKS Sanjay
The World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated every year on April 23 to promote the reading of books. Events taken place each year across the world to recognise the importance of books – a link between the past and the future, a bridge between generations and across cultures.
British philosopher Sir Roger Scranton wrote that people with depression feel isolated and that a book can sometime decrease it. A study found that a session of 30 minutes of reading a book lowers your blood pressure, heart rate and psychological distress. It is also established that the beneficial effect of reading books equals to that of yoga and humour. Researchers at Mayo Clinic, USA advise their patients to inculcate reading as part of regular pre-sleep routine. For better results, one should choose print book rather than reading on a screen / tablet/ mobile.
Now, the question is what should you be reading? The answer is, whatever you like and whatever book you can get in your hands. It is especially important for children to read as much as possible because the effects of reading are cumulative. The parents and teachers should set the examples so that children make a habit of reading which enhances their knowledge. The more the knowledge they have, the better they are equipped to deal the challenges they will face. Reading books can help them to learn from masters who have already been through certain situations and also learn how to tackle them. Books are a good way to educate them.
As exercise helps your body to stay healthy and fit, books keep your brain fit. Character is formed from childhood and books play an important role. Reading a book can change your thinking process and ultimately can bring changes in you. Esko Valtaoja had said, you are what you read.
I believe that the origin of language must have occurred only when human was born because life cannot be developed, or even be maintained without communication with others. A language is needed for communication.Languages and scripts probably were developed millions of years ago, but the making of books in any form is a comparatively modern concept if compared to origin of human civilisation. Knowledge has been passed from one generation to the next through books. The importance of propagation of knowledge was well understood by our forefathers, so they wrote their knowledge and experience and compiled them in the form of books and also kept it safe so that future generations can gain that knowledge themselves and spread it to others.
Preservation of the books and construction of the libraries had been a part of Indian society since centuries ago. The ruins of universities of Nalanda near Rajgir, Vikramshila near Bhagalpur in Bihar and Takshashila near Islamabad, Pakistan and their grand libraries are the testimony of the past. Nalanda University, was one of the oldest university in the world in the fifth century. There were 10,000 students, 2,000 teachers and a nine storey grand library which had more than three lakh books covering almost all subjects. Nalanda and Vikramshila universities were destroyed by invader Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1200 CE and Takshashila by the Huns in 500 CE. Takshashila was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. Ancient Nalanda University has been resurrected by Government of India, with an act passed by the Parliament in 2014.
There had been hundreds of examples of Rishi, Munis, poets and courtiers who had preserved books, their knowledge and experience for centuries. These books had been spreading that knowledge and experience to only a few in the ancient time but now, the masses are being benefited. The books written and kept in libraries by these intellectuals has been the base on which the ancient Indian was given the privilege of Vishwa Guru. It is the contribution of these books and the libraries that not only Indians but the whole world has gained the knowledge and is being able to use it.
The importance of the books and the libraries had been understood very well by the Indians in past and that is the reason that you can see smaller or bigger libraries in almost every small or big cities of our country even now a days. This is the era of digital technology and the impact of it is being seen clearly. There has been decrease in interest in printed books with the advent of e-books and electronic devices. But I believe that the books will always exist in some form and will never disappear completely. Cicero once said, a room without books is like a body without a soul.
The role of books is not hidden from anyone, in the transformation of the human civilization the role of books has been important in the formation and flourishing of civilizations of the world. BR Ambedkar had said that cultivation of mind should be the ultimate aim of human existence.If we talk about India, Vedas, Purana, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Gita, Quran, Bible, Guru Granth Sahib, Tattvarthasutra, Tripitaka and many more scriptures are the books which have transformed the ideology of the whole society not in only in ancient times but in current time as well.The books work as a medium between the writer and the reader.
The English writer Stevenson and Hindi writer Rahul Sankrityayan were known to abandon the books after reading them, irrespective of the cost of the book. Both believed not to keep the burden of books and knowledge but to give to the others. Whosoever gets the book, he will read it and will be benefited. Having books and reading them shows your love for them, but after reading it and then giving it to someone else further increase your love for that book.
Habit of keeping the book is good, reading books is better and giving it to someone else after reading is the best. The habit of sharing books will make you a medium of sharing knowledge. Whatever is written in books, it is written very thoughtfully. Make a habit of buying, reading, sharing and gifting books so that you will inspire others to do so.Romain Rolland once said that the friend who understands you, creates you. I have gone through hundreds of books and the books have contributed a lot in shaping my life. I believe that books are one’s earnest friends, so love them.
(The writer is an orthopaedic & spine surgeon who is also a Padma Shri recipient)
Friday, 23 April 2021 | Dr BKS Sanjay
