Recently, I visited a college and interacted with students about the importance of reading, especially newspapers. I was quite appalled when one student remarked, and several others agreed, that they had stopped reading newspapers because they now get all their news from Facebook. While many credible newspapers do have a social media presence, social media also exposes us to unverified information and often promotes news in short formats, with loud or sensational headlines. Reading a newspaper, on the other hand, does much more—it improves general knowledge, vocabulary, comprehension and critical thinking skills.
Knowledge has always been one of the greatest sources of empowerment. It shapes the way we think, the decisions we make and how we understand the world around us. Learning keeps us curious and open-minded, while wisdom helps us apply what we have learnt meaningfully.
Growing up, we belonged to a very different generation. There was no social media, television was limited, and entertainment options were fewer. Books, newspapers and magazines were our windows to the world. We read because reading was a natural part of our lives. A good book could keep us engaged for hours, newspapers connected us with current affairs, and magazines introduced us to new people, ideas and places.
Today, the way we consume information has changed dramatically. Smartphones have put the world at our fingertips, and that is certainly an advantage. But reels, social media and constant screen time also compete continuously for our attention. The younger generation is increasingly used to consuming information in quick, short formats. Many prefer a one-minute update or a short video to reading a detailed article.
The concern is not technology itself. The concern is whether we are losing the patience to read, reflect and understand a subject in depth. Knowledge cannot always be acquired in thirty-second snippets.
We must therefore consciously bring reading back into our daily lives. Even twenty or thirty minutes on most days can make a difference. Read a newspaper, a biography, a good novel, an informative magazine or an insightful article.
In a world overflowing with information, true wisdom lies in knowing what is worth absorbing. Today, it’s important to decide where to expend our energy and where to conserve it. Read more, learn continuously, think deeply and let knowledge grow into wisdom.
Pallavi Salgaocar
CA & Entrepreneur
Author: Enterprise India
