I am in total agreement with Venkiteswaran sir when he says that people are no longer interested in reading. Those who are passionate about reading have become a small group. Unlike the earlier times, there are so many alternatives available and people prefer shortcuts for entertainment or to pass their time and so they don't really want to spend much time in reading.
Coming to the point in the thread, I think parents/ teachers should inspire their kids to read. Reading should be developed as a hobby and then gradually developed as a passion. I know people who do not even read the daily newspapers and also persons who would not leave even the papers that have been used as wrappers in something they have brought. So, reading must happen as a natural process because it is only then that you enjoy reading.
Kids should be given books that would attract and create an interest in them. They should be told stories so that a curiosity is created in their minds. It is quite natural for kids to be influenced by their parents and so the initial interest in reading will surely come by observing them. At first they may just browse through the pages or pictures but once they become inquisitive, they will start reading the letters, then words and sentences.
At a time when even televisions are becoming a thing in the corner of our rooms, I am really not sure whether reading books or even e books will find their way into the minds of people but once the habit is developed, one would definitely continue to read.
Dr Rao, reading study materials as part of learning cannot be, I think, classified as part of reading in general. One can be said to be passionate about reading or that he has the habit of reading at least a few pages everyday only if he finds time to read something that is not part of his studies or official duties.
'Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all'.
-Aristotle
