By Gowher Bhat
The youth in Kashmir are busy. Phones in their hands. Messages to read. Friends to meet. Life moves fast. It’s easy to get lost in the buzz. But somewhere, in the quiet corners of homes and libraries, books wait.
They wait on shelves. Some are half-read. Others never opened. It’s not that people don’t love stories — they do. Stories are woven into Kashmiri culture. The folktales of Shireen Boi and Himal Nagrai, passed down from elders, echo the valley’s rich storytelling tradition. The verses of Lal Ded and Habba Khatoon still hum in the air. But reading a book, truly reading it, takes something rare these days — stillness.
Kashmir’s literacy rate stands at 68.74%, with men at 78.26% and women at 58.01%. Schools are full of students chasing grades. Facts to memorize. Exams to pass. But reading for the joy of it? That often gets left behind.
A book doesn’t rush you. It has no flashing notifications. No demands. Just words on a page. A world waiting to unfold. In that world, time slows. The noise fades. In the hush of turning pages, something shifts. Thoughts wander. Imagination soars.
Kashmiri author Akhtar Mohi-ud-Din once said, “A story is not just words; it is a world.” When you read, you step into that world. You meet characters who become friends, visit places you’ve never seen, and feel emotions you might not have known existed. And the best part? When you close the book, the echoes of that world stay with you.
In a conversation about the importance of reading, Akhtar further remarked, “Books are the reservoirs of our thoughts and experiences. Through them, we preserve memories, and through reading, we relive them. A society that reads is a society that reflects, questions, and grows.”
There was a time when libraries in Kashmir buzzed with readers. The Gani Memorial Library and SPS Library stood as sanctuaries for book lovers. Shelves lined with literature welcomed curious minds. College students spent hours leafing through classics. Children sat cross-legged on the floor, lost in fairy tales.
Today, those libraries still stand, but the readers are fewer. Phones have taken their place. Endless scrolling. Videos. Memes. Instant entertainment. Books? They ask for patience.
According to librarian Bashir Ahmad Dar, the decline is noticeable. “We used to see students from morning till evening. Now, they come for assignments and leave. The joy of leisurely reading is disappearing,” he says.
But the spark hasn’t gone out. Community spaces like Kitab Ghar in Srinagar are trying to rekindle it. Here, people sip chai, browse shelves, and lose themselves in stories. Book cafes are more than just reading spaces — they’re places to connect. Thoughts are exchanged. Perspectives grow.
And then there are people like Fatima Jan, a 65-year-old grandmother from Anantnag, who still gathers her grandchildren to narrate the old folktales of Gul-e-Bakavali and Noor-ud-Din Noorani R.A (Nund Rishi). Her voice carries the echoes of a time when stories lived not just in books but in memory.
Science backs what book lovers have always known — reading is good for the mind. Studies show that reading for just 30 minutes a day can significantly reduce stress, lower heart rates, and ease muscle tension. It’s a mental workout that strengthens brain connectivity, sharpens focus, and improves memory.
Dr. Shazia Khan, a psychologist, explains why. “Reading immerses the mind in a single task. Unlike scrolling through social media, which overwhelms the brain with constant input, books allow mental focus. This reduces anxiety and improves cognitive function.”
Moreover, reading stimulates neural pathways that help with problem-solving and emotional intelligence. The act of visualizing characters, understanding motives, and empathizing with experiences builds stronger cognitive reserves. Lifelong readers are often better at understanding complex ideas and navigating challenges.
In a place like Kashmir, where resilience is a way of life, the mental strength nurtured through reading is invaluable. Stories offer solace. They provide an escape when the world outside grows heavy. They inspire hope.
The reading culture in Kashmir isn’t entirely lost. But it could thrive with a little help. Independent initiatives and reading clubs are making an effort, though they remain few and far between. Many children grow up without ever knowing the joy of picking a book from a shelf and getting lost in its world.
Part of the challenge is the lack of well-maintained public libraries. Many schools prioritize rote learning over nurturing a love for stories. Homes, too, are increasingly devoid of bookshelves. Digital screens have taken over.
Experts suggest simple but impactful solutions:
Establish more community libraries.
Organize storytelling events where elders can share traditional tales.
Introduce mobile book vans to reach villages.
Dedicate school time for free reading, encouraging students to explore beyond textbooks.
Promoting local authors and Kashmiri literature would also help. Writers like Shafi Ahmad and Farah Bashir offer stories that mirror the valley’s life. Through their works, readers experience the beauty and hardship of Kashmir. Connecting with such narratives fosters empathy — both for the self and others.
“A book is a bridge,” says cultural historian Dr. Sabina Hussain. “It connects generations. Reading the stories of our past helps us understand the present. And writing our own stories ensures the future will know who we were.”
It’s easy to think that reading is a luxury we can’t afford. But a community that reads is a community that grows. Books ignite curiosity. Readers become thinkers. Thinkers become problem solvers. They question. They imagine. They build.
Parents, educators, and community leaders all have a role to play. Book fairs, reading programs, and affordable access to literature can all nurture the habit of reading. Every effort counts.
And for those who say they aren’t readers — maybe they just haven’t found the right story yet. Because there’s always one. A story that opens something inside.
Akhtar Mohi-ud-Din believed in that. “A book,” he once wrote, “has the power to change a heart. And once a heart changes, the world around it follows.”
So the next time the phone buzzes, let it wait. The messages will still be there. But that book on the shelf? It’s waiting too. And within its pages, there might just be a story that changes everything.
Kashmir’s future is in the hands of its readers. All it takes is one book. One story. And everything can change.
- Gowher Bhat is a published author, creative writer, and experienced English instructor.
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