Miscellaneous - This Day That Age   

dated May 8, 1958: Promotion of reading

(From an editorial)

There is no cause for surprise in the statement made by Dr. Saiyidain, Secretary of the Union Ministry of Education, the other day that “we are not yet a nation of readers." Respect for books and learning is part of our national tradition but it is unfortunate that more of our students now tend to pass through school, college and life, missing “the refining influence of good books." The Union Ministry’s initiative in convening a National Conference on Reading would serve a commendable purpose if it focuses attention on the need not only to promote sound reading habits but to make available books of the right type to the growing number of literates that our expanding educational system is turning out. A text-bookish education has been largely instrumental in killing young people’s interest in general books. A pilot project undertaken by the Union Ministry of Education at New Delhi confirms the view that given a little guidance and access to the proper type of books, the children take to them eagerly and always ask for more. The National Book Trust as well as the Southern Languages Book Trust have made a good beginning by way of bringing good books at low cost to the public. But since even such low-cost publications may be beyond the reach of many, the development of an efficient and widespread library system would be the practical answer. Mobile libraries equipped with graded books for all ages, reaching far out into the villages, must be developed. They deserve high priority at the hands of our educational planners.

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