Instilling reading habit
With the reading habit on the decline and public libraries disappearing, the ‘Phirse Kitaab’ campaign was launched on December 27 at the International Centre Goa (ICG), Dona Paula. The festival is reportedly organised by the Girls Islamic Organisation – Goa (GIO) with the sole aim of reconnecting children to books. It is pertinent to note that the Uttar Pradesh government has reportedly issued guidelines directing all secondary and primary schools in the state to incorporate newspaper reading as a mandatory daily activity for students. In recent years, educators and parents have expressed growing concern over the steady decline in reading habits among children. Once a primary source of knowledge, imagination and entertainment, reading has now lost out to screens, social media, video games and short-form digital content. While technology has brought many benefits, it has also reduced children’s attention span and patience for sustained reading. Reconnecting students with the habit of reading is not only necessary for academic success but also vital for their emotional, intellectual and social development. Fast, visually stimulating screen content that provides instant gratification makes books seem slow or demanding by comparison. Additionally, academic pressure has turned reading into a task rather than a pleasure. Unfortunately, reading is now associated only with exams, grades and compulsory textbook study. Reading is far more than an academic skill. It builds vocabulary, improves concentration, strengthens critical thinking and nurtures empathy by exposing children to diverse experiences. Children imitate adults. When teachers share what they are reading or parents read alongside their children, it sends a powerful message that reading is valuable and enjoyable, and in the process helps students rediscover the joy of books.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Blatant attack on minorities
It is of great concern that Hindu right-wing hooligans belonging to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and Hindu Jagran Manch from BJP-ruled states engaged themselves in vandalising churches and Christmas decorations and violently attacking Christians on the eve of Christmas. Even a visually impaired Christian woman was abused and attacked by a BJP woman leader in a church in Madhya Pradesh. What is more appalling is that the policemen who should have prevented the rioters from committing such atrocities remained mute spectators. Moreover, none of the tall leaders of the ruling BJP government, including the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, came forward to condemn the dastardly attacks by the goons, leave alone initiating any action against them. After remaining silent over the atrocities committed by Hindu organisations against Christians, Prime Minister Modi visited the Cathedral Church of Redemption in New Delhi on Christmas Day. Even during his visit, he did not utter a single word about the attacks or show any remorse over the dastardly acts of his party men or other Hindu fanatics. In the circumstances, does not his visit to the Cathedral Church on Christmas Day amount to mere appeasement politics? Taking the stony silence of their leaders as tacit support for their vandalism, another gang of Hindu fanatics barged into a mall in Ahmedabad and destroyed Christmas trees and other artefacts, creating a ruckus and leaving the public shuddering in fear. This too is a case in point.
Tharcius S Fernando, Chennai
Protect Kashmir apple farmers
The recent free trade agreement with New Zealand puts Kashmir’s small apple growers at grave risk. Already struggling with climate change, rising input costs and market uncertainties, these farmers are now facing an influx of cheaper imports like Royal Gala apples, according to reports. At 20–30 per cent cheaper than local varieties such as Delicious and Kashmir Royal, these imports threaten to crash farm-gate prices. Kashmir’s apple industry, valued at Rs 8,000 crore, supports over 3.5 million people. To protect these vulnerable farmers, the government must ensure phased implementation of trade deals and introduce safeguards for sensitive crops. Alongside trade liberalisation, income support, better storage facilities and guaranteed market access are crucial to shielding farmers from economic shocks. The true measure of growth should be its benefit to those who feed us.
Dr Vijaykumar H K, Raichur
Denial of rights
It is surprising that the agitation of sanitary workers, which started in July 2025 with a fast-unto-death against the outsourcing of sanitation work in Tamil Nadu, is still going on. Though the DMK chief had promised to fulfil their demands, even after 50 months as Chief Minister, he is yet to accede to them. It is really shameful that instead of conceding their demands, they are taken into custody day after day. It is unfortunate that during the DMK tenure, every working class, including teachers, nurses and sanitary workers, was forced to protest against the non-fulfilment of promises made by the DMK chief on the eve of the 2021 Assembly elections.
Capt N Viswanathan, Coimbatore
