Elders are Passionate Readers
There was a time—not so long ago—when reading was not just a habit but a way of life. Our elders, many with little formal education, were deeply connected to books and newspapers wherever they went. Whether at a shop front, under a shady tree, on the balcony, by the riverbank, or at a bus stop, one would often find elders engrossed in reading—a ritual that connected them deeply to the written word. They read with passion and curiosity, and often shared what they learned with others. The timeless habit of reading gave them wisdom, joy, and a better understanding of the world. It was more than a pastime; it was a gateway to new worlds, broader perspectives, and enriched minds. Today, in the age of phones and screens, that reading culture is slowly disappearing. It’s time we learn from our elders and bring back the joy of reading in our daily lives.
For these elderly passionate readers, newspapers and books were intellectual treasures and trusted companions, capable of transforming them into wiser, more thoughtful individuals. Holding a newspaper or a book was not just about consuming information; it was a tactile, sensory experience, the rustle of pages, the feel of paper, and the quiet solitude of reading that ignited imagination and empathy.
Our elders, although they had little formal education, treated reading as a vital part of daily life, more than a hobby. In an era before digital distractions, they would spend hours absorbed in fiction, non-fiction, or poetry, finding solace and insight in every page. Their passion for reading nurtured critical thinking, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Back then, sharing a newspaper was common. Inside buses, barbershops (known locally as Nayedwa’an), and community spaces, elders would eagerly discuss the latest news from newspapers like Chattan, Alsafa, or Srinagar Times etc. These leading papers once, were treasured possessions, eagerly awaited each morning. It was not unusual for elders to walk miles just to fetch a newspaper, and satisfy their appetite for knowledge, insatiable.
At times, when the dailies didn’t arrive due to unfavorable circumstances, our elders felt upset. What made them leave their edifices quite early, next day, was their curiosity of satiating their reading thirst by fetching a newspaper. And, no sooner they got it than they couldn’t resist bringing it home for a leisurely read; they rather delved deep into the pages there at, and felt the written word—creating a sensory experience, hard to replicate digitally.
As a vanishing tradition, this rich culture of reading is fading each day. Newspapers are often discarded or repurposed, and books are sold casually on Patri (street corners). The sight of an elderly person wearing spectacles and meticulously reading a newspaper or book has become rare. Digital screens have replaced paper, but the depth of engagement and joy that came with physical reading is lost.
The decline in reading is not just a cultural loss; it threatens the very fabric of informed and thoughtful society. Our elders’ dedication to reading, cultivated articulate speakers and wise community members, despite limited formal education or wealth. Their word power and wisdom stemmed from a lifelong habit of deep and focused reading and intellectual nourishment that we sorely need to revive.
On a personal note, I vividly remember my maternal uncle, Gaffar Maam, who during summers would cross the river Jhelum to bring home Urdu newspapers like Chattan and Alsafa. He would read calmly on his balcony before stitching clothes or retreat to a quiet Bund (towpath) under the Kiker trees, undisturbed—just to satiate his reading thirst. He was one among many passionate readers in Kashmir whose legacy reminds us that the decline of reading culture is a cause for serious concern.
In today’s age of digital fatigue and fleeting distractions, we must look back to our elders’ passionate reading habits for inspiration. Embracing reading as a daily practice can help us rediscover joy, expand our knowledge, revive the reading spirit, and cultivate a more informed, thoughtful, and compassionate society because the reading culture was once our ancestral property and our identity. It’s time to reclaim it.
By revisiting the stories and habits of our elders, we can reignite the flame of reading and ensure that this priceless legacy continues to enrich generations to come.
Manzoor Akash is an educator and columnist contributing regularly to Senior Citizens’ Lounge
