Reading habit

What a noble deed by the ruler of Sharjah to allocate such a lot of money towards enriching Sharjah’s libraries with the latest publications. This story made my day. While war and climate change are burning issues and the need of the hour, so are also books and the habit of reading and sculpting minds.

There can be no replacement for books and the knowledge they impart. There can be no other pleasure greater than journeying through a book and the story it tells. Reading makes children better adults of tomorrow. They inculcate thinking, questioning and logical reasoning.

They fire up imaginations. And thus, the ruler has invested well - he has invested in the knowledge wealth of tomorrow’s citizen. He has invested in a future where he will have citizens that make good, reasonable decisions.

Speaking of the printed book, nothing can replace the joy of print. One might question why do libraries need to be refurbished with physical books when ebooks are available at the touch of a finger tip. But it is never the same. Libraries will always hold that charm and sanctity. It also means time away from the screen.

Cheers to the ruler and the new books he has contributed towards

Adele Costa, By email