“Oh, to be a child again and to go through the lanes
passed by”
Most of the happy memories of my childhood involve
books. As I grew up in the 80s, there were some blessings – there was no cable
television and internet. So, whatever
time we had after school were either spent on playing outdoors or reading. Since
I had studied in Kerala for some time, I knew to read Malayalam. Knowing two
languages meant books in both languages. My father used to take us all to a
market every month to buy clothes, vegetables, etc. Every such visit inevitably
had one stop - A small book stall outside a restaurant. This stall had
Malayalam magazines and story books. I always picked up two, one was ‘Balarama’,
a children’s monthly that had stories, General knowledge topics, contests and
so on. The other book that I bought was ‘Chandamama’, a fortnightly book that
had many children’s stories and it had beautiful pictures. Oh, yes, I also picked up Amar Chitra Katha
Series and Tinkle too. Uncle Pai had a larger than life image in almost all children’s
lives those days. Then, one day, I had the good fortune of seeing him and I
thanked him from far for my lovely memories and for the various characters that
he helped etch in us.
Once I got hold of these books, I would just want to
reach home and catch a corner and finish each page, sometimes twice. Both books
would be read even before dinner was served.
These stories taught me many things about life. It
took to another world where truth triumphed, where friendships were all about helping
and trusting each other, where men and nature lived in harmony and where the
world was a great place to be in. The various characters, Mayavi, Supandi,
Shikhari Shambu, villagers, and many more, were an integral part of my life.
And even today, I long to meet them.
These stories slowly developed in me a thirst for
reading. I started reading more and more so much that, I would never even throw
away the paper in which peanut seller packed the peanuts. I would read it once
and then put it away. Books also ignited my creativity and imagination. I would
imagine confabulations with the characters and sometimes, I will be led to their
world and I would be able to tell more about them. These skills have held me in
good stead today as my love for writing and penning short stories and poems
have come from this love for reading that my parents encouraged.
I do not have children of my own but if there is one
thing that I would like today’s children to have, then that would be books.
Yes, there are tablets, computers and kindles where children may have a chance
to read, but what I would wish for them is to have real books, ones that they
can touch, feel, embrace and keep beside their pillow. How I wish children
would subscribe for such weeklies and monthlies and wait anxiously at the
doorstep for the delivery man to bring in the books! How I wish they would tear
open the wrapper and devour the stories with excitement and curiosity!
 |
| Image source: http://blog.prathambooks.org/ |
Reading opens mind and brain of children. When they
read about fairies or the world of Gods or mythological tales, they are also transported
into this world. They are able to imagine a lot and who knows, one day, they
will be capable of creating such a world themselves. Reading even helps in
studies. A child who loves story books will never hate his school texts and that’s
for sure.
How I wish every night, every child world over, will have
book beside their bed and a bookmark to remind them that the night will be
peaceful and the next day will be a beautiful one because there is a story
waiting in there for them!
Note:This post is being written for the #BachpanWithFlinto blogger contest.
Flintobox creates award-winning
discovery boxes filled with fun exploratory activities and games for children
in the age group of 3-7. If you wish to gift Flintobox to your child,
niece/nephew, or friend’s child, use the exclusive coupon code WELCOME to avail
Rs. 250/- off.
