Read, re ect, share
With World Books and Copyright Day tomorrow, let’s look at how reading empowers individuals to become agents of positive change
any educational institutions and organisations host summer camps and workshops to foster students’ reading habits. While some prove successful, others may not achieve the desired results for various reasons. #IndiaReads, a reading movement initiated by the English Language Teachers’ Association of India (ELTAI), also arranges such camps and, during discussions about the modules, several key questions arose: What should be the theme? What kinds of books truly engage readers? How can one become an engaged reader?
While the phrase “Read, Reect, Share” provides a clear insight into the theme and purpose, it also serves as a formula for students to become engaged readers.
During a recent reading workshop, I distributed copies of an anecdote on happiness to kickstart a discussion on the factors
Mthat contribute to it. The ensuing conversation was engaging and enlightening, marked by diverse perspectives and constructive exchanges of ideas. In essence, content that touches the heart, evokes emotions, and motivates the reader can help them become engaged readers. If a simple anecdote can prompt individuals to reect, relate it to their own experiences, and share their insights with others, then surely good books have the potential to catalyse transformative change in their lives and that of others.
Reading
The purpose of reading extends beyond mere pleasure; it is a journey towards personal growth and societal betterment. It is often said that the most profound learning experiences occur when one transitions from ignorance to knowledge. Similarly, a book’s worth transcends mere information dissemination; it lies in its ability to empower readers to apply that knowledge for the betterment of society.
Reading, whether ction or non-ction, oers a multitude of benets tailored to individual interests. Fiction enthusiasts nd themselves transported to imaginative realms, encountering diverse characters and gaining profound insights into the human condition and society. On the other hand, readers of non-ction engage in mental gymnastics, pondering over content, raising questions, and seeking answers, thereby exercising their cognitive faculties.
What distinguishes a truly remarkable read is its ability to resonate deeply with the reader, elicit emotions and facilitate introspection. Research conducted at Lund University in Sweden has shown that reading books in a foreign language can even lead to an enlargement of the hippocampus, a brain region asso
ciated with learning and memory, underscoring the cognitive benets. Reading serves as a potent stress-reliever, expands one’s knowledge base, and enriches thought processes.
In essence, reading is not merely a pastime; it is a transformative endeavour that nourishes the mind, nurtures empathy, and empowers individuals to become agents of positive change in their communities and beyond.
Re ecting
In today’s world, we come across a multitude of interesting, inspirational, and thought-provoking content on social media, in books, and in magazines. Some individuals simply skim through what they read without truly engaging with the material. Engaged readers or reective readers, on the other hand genuinely enjoy the act of reading and actively participate in the process. They appreciate text in all its forms, critically analyse the text, language, symbols, and more. They pause, reect, pose questions, and seek hidden meanings. As Keene and Zimmerman explain in Mosaic of Thought, engaged readers