Reading enhances quality of life & its longevity, too

August 9 was celebrated all over the world as the Book Lovers Day. My mother died at the age of 95. She was a voracious reader. She had read more than hundred Telugu novels, and story books, besides newspapers and magazines. On an average, she used to read for10 hours a week and kept up this habit till she died a peaceful death in her sleep.

Now I have realised that her reading habit is the secret behind her long and healthy life. In other words, books kept her hale and hearty. Yes, according to one latest survey conducted by Yale University of America, the habit of reading books enhances a person's life span. People who read books at least for about three-and-a-half hours a week live a couple of years longer than those who do not read at all, says the university research report. Some of us may find it hard to believe and set store by the research out come.

But a look at the lives of many great people who read books and books would make us agree with the findings of the university researchers. Writers like Niradh C Choudhary, Mulk Raj Anand, Kushwant Singh, RK Narayan were avid readers and they all lived for long years. Many of us know that there are a host of benefits for those who habitually read. Books help us overcome boredom, depression, loneliness, ignorance, improve our vocabulary, talkative power, writing skills, create awareness about human psychology and relationships, broaden our career opportunities and understanding of science and technology.

According to Francis Bacon, “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some to be chewed and digested.” A friend of mine always says that we find sweets in the house of a sweets' vendor, flowers in the house of a florist, fishes in the house of a fisherman and books in the house of a learned man. But today how many of us can boast of our personal library? “A room without books is like a body without a soul,” says Cicero. Again, according to the survey of the Yale University, reading newspapers also contribute a little to our longevity. A variety of newspapers and magazines are available in English and vernaculars. But the number of people reading those books and newspapers is going down day by day.

Alas, in this electronic age, instead of reading, says a novel of JK Rowling, most of us prefer to watch its movie version in the cinema or on TV. Or like to be a couch potato watching a news channel instead of reading a newspaper! But in terms of neuroscience, reading a book is a more beneficial and healthier cerebral exercise, according to Maryanne Wolf. In her thought-provoking book, ‘Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain,’ Wolf convincingly talks about the huge benefits of reading books. Again according to one neuropsychologist, reading for six minutes would reduce 68% of your stress!

Now, it is hoped that the findings of the university research would encourage us to read books and newspapers to live long. Here teachers and parents do have responsible roles in inculcating this healthy habit in their wards. The two books that inspired Abdul Kalam a lot and that he always kept at his bedside are: ‘Light from many Lamps’ edited by LE Watson, and ‘Man The Unknown’ by Dr Alexis Carrel.

By M Somasekhar Prasad