Kerala   

In books or on Internet, knowledge remains primary

The present generation go behind search engines such as Google as they can provide any kind of information. The Internet also provides a quick access to any person of any age. The net does not put any boundaries for searching and many users go after the “black roads” opened up by the net. In olden days parents used to keep bad books away from children but in the case of internet it is not always possible. I am a teenager who is really frustrated seeing the destruction of a whole lot of friends who use the internet negatively.

I would also like to comment that reading novels, poems and stories on the net will never put us in that beautiful world which we are in while reading a book.

Aswini Mohan

Kozhikode

Everything is subject to evolution through revolution. Same is the case with the Internet. It provides on-the-spot information. Of course, books also give information but in a slow process when compared to Internet. Even with high penetration of the Internet, the reading habits of Keralites cannot be underestimated.

R. Parameswaran

Palakkad

Few researchers use libraries for their work as they get a wealth of information via the Internet. This trend among learners would flourish in the years to come; till more sophisticated systems take its place.

Kerala has also shown a liking for Internet because of its usefulness in all walks of life. The urge to keep abreast of modern scientific developments can be found among affluent societies in Kerala. Meanwhile, production and sale of books have not yet diminished as the reading habit of the people still persists. The circulation of newspapers and other periodicals have increased tremendously as the people are concerned about the developments taking place around them.

K.K. Kunhikannan

Koyilandy

People who are interested in getting information will always move towards the easiest source and that is probably the Internet. Libraries come as detailed secondary reference. People who are not looking for information would tend to view Internet mainly as a tool for entertainment. But the former use it fully and more meaningfully.

There is no basis for the fears that the relevance of libraries is declining. The truth is that wise persons are using both the Internet and libraries equally well to fulfil their needs.

Sarath S. Pillai

Eranhipalam

It is a fact that in this era of fast life, nobody has time to look beyond what they need. Like being search-specific in information, people are also task-specific in their life, becoming more self-centred.

The past is marked by people with wide and deep reading. Their acquaintance with books gave them wisdom by which they could treat humanity with love and care. With our bidding adieu to reading, we are moving away from a rich tradition we are heirs to. Like deforestation, like pollution which threaten our very existence, a depletion takes place in our inner self by being task-specific.

Keeping in mind the convenience of having information at our finger tips, it is necessary that we strike a deal with this situation. It is high time we incorporated the good qualities of both searching on the Internet and reading books. Searching the net is unavoidable on subjects which demand immediate attention. But, we should stretch ourselves in the wider perspective with reading which will take us through the nuances of human thoughts and feelings, where mere task-specific life is insignificant.

Roopasree Sujan

Mahe

Books spread knowledge, culture and love. They refine human minds and in turn make the whole world pleasant. Of course, books are of two categories, good and bad. But, books can never be that bad.

In the case of Internet, it has good and bad in equal proportions. Sometimes it is a nuisance and spreads sins. So when we add or subtract, books stand first.

Shyjith P.C.

Chelora

The advances in science and technology have made many things possible which, in recent past were “wild dreams.” Internet definitely may be the finest product of this century. It has been a boon to the scholar, scientist and to the common man alike. But, it has inversely affected or rather subdued the basic abilities of human kind. Now a day, nobody is willing to take the pains to search for academic details in the library using the original sources (books). Eventually, one fails to imbibe the charm of investigation. Definitely, there are people who still enjoy the company of books.

Libraries are like gardens. In a garden, you have a choice of flowers to enjoy and pluck fresh.

In a library, one can relax, choose his book, read and become the wiser for it. Internet definitely is a good and handy companion. It may be considered as the sign post. We should follow the sign posts and conduct proper search in the library for gaining optimum knowledge. Ultimately, it is the library that matters.

Venkateswaran M.V.

Mankave

"Reading maketh a full man", said Bacon, the 16th century essayist. His words evidently show the importance of reading. Many take reading as a hobby. But some takes it seriously. Books provide instruction as well as delight and hence it is a treasure. I don’t think that the easy accessibility of information in the Internet has any adverse impact on reading.

On the contrary, those who read or buy books and visit libraries go on doing that. In fact on the Internet, we don’t get to read all the new publications. Also we can’t use Internet while teaching in a classroom.

The advantage of the Internet is that we can search for a particular piece of information.

The fear that Internet will occupy the place of books is irrelevant.

Like newspapers and television channels co-exist, books and Internet will also go hand in hand.

Gayathri.S.

Pallipad

Internet has become the one-stop source of information and does not pose any threat to printed books and libraries.

Mainly sued as a communicative or entertainment tool, Internet might emerge as an information storage and dissemination tool.

But modern libraries will soon be restructured to include Internet as dominant input information covering printed books, in-house digital documents and information materials. Digital libraries with powerful search facilities may emerge and the services will be available through Internet.

The Wikipedia and search engines like Google will be used as intense information access facilities.

The sites for book search and book selling will be made use of substantially in building up our libraries and their collection.

With the help of Internet, libraries can improve their skill-sets to emerge as better managers of knowledge rather than keepers of books. In short, the compatibility of libraries with Internet will continue to grow.

K.Rajasekharan

Mulagunnathukavu

With the coming of internet, most of us have bid adieu to books. It is true that internet plays a very important role in today’s scenario of ever growing technology.

But the traditional role of reading is on its way to oblivion.

One of the key traits looked for in a prospective candidate by a firm is his/her communicative skills, and reading plays a major role in developing it.

Time spent in front of computer should be limited. In Kochi, the number of Internet cafes is on the rise. This trend also indicates the reading habit among people is declining.

Being a part of the new generation, I think students should hone their technical and communicative skills simultaneously with the reading habit.

In the past few years, there have been several attempts to spread computer knowledge in society.

But I have not seen anyone trying to promote reading.

For easy access of information Internet is good, but for soft skills and character development it is better to read books.

Shruthi Binoy K.

Kochi

“Reading dies” or “Decline of reading” can be used as a phrase to focus on the death of reading habit among Malayalis. With the advent of Internet and television channels, most of them prefer watching them than reading books. The common man does not have enough time to go to a library or book stall. Instead he prefers to read on the Internet. Almost all important items are readily available there.

In the 21st century, everything is through e-world.

S.N. Thiruvazhiode

Poonithura

The rapid growth of technology has constituted an extraordinary collective resource for the international academic community. Now, most of our libraries are going digital. The Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) centre, an autonomous body under the University Grants Commission, has been set up for promoting scholarly communication among academicians and researchers in India.

But, the penetration of internet will spoil some of our social values such as cooperation, socialisation and the skill of independent thinking.

Full-time use of Internet is not good for our children. It is the duty of every teacher and parent to help them understand the merits and demerits of the library and the Internet system.

Jayaprakash R.K.

Ottappalam

Internet has increased the relevance of the traditional roles of books and libraries, though it is true it has opened up new ways of entertainment. Many people who were reading short stories and magazines for entertainment have switched over to content available on the Internet. However, there are people who continue to read books. These people cannot be dismissed as an orthodox group. For they use the Internet to find the books that are of interest to them. There is even a social network site for bookworms. In short, the Internet is a big help to people who have a thin purse and a hungry brain. It makes no difference whether they live in rural or urban areas. The difficulties in getting membership of big libraries and the indefinite wait for one’s favourite books can be avoided, thanks to Internet.

Ajeya Anand

Eranhipalam

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