Reading: A Tool For Empowerment and Transformation
Gowhar Bhat
Reading isn’t just a way to pass the time. It’s a way to grow. It’s a way to build a future. It’s a way to understand the world—and yourself. Books can give you the tools you need to create the life you want. They can give you the strength to overcome challenges, the knowledge to think for yourself, and the words to express your deepest thoughts.
In the quiet corners of Kashmir, books are waiting. The youth need only reach for them. According to a report by UNICEF, 70% of Kashmir’s population is under the age of 35. This is not just a statistic—it’s a sign of potential, of untapped power, of a generation standing on the brink of transformation. If this young generation embraces the habit of reading, they won’t just be consuming words on pages; they’ll be shaping ideas, forming values, and building futures.
Reading, unlike fleeting digital distractions, has the power to transform. It teaches patience in an age of immediacy, depth in a time of superficiality, and empathy in a world that often celebrates ego. For the youth of Kashmir—many of whom have grown up surrounded by financial struggles, lack of employment opportunities, and the challenges of long, harsh winters—books can offer not just an escape, but a mirror, a compass, and a bridge. A mirror to see themselves clearly, a compass to navigate their inner and outer worlds, and a bridge to connect with others across cultures, beliefs, and borders.
The Science and Soul of Reading:
Reading has been proven to have a profound impact on mental health and cognitive development. Dr. Rajesh Sagar, professor of psychiatry at AIIMS, New Delhi, states, “Reading is one of the healthiest cognitive exercises. It strengthens memory, builds focus, and nurtures emotional well-being. In young minds, it helps develop a sense of purpose and direction.” According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States, reading helps improve brain function by strengthening connections in the brain, increasing empathy, and improving emotional intelligence.
Similarly, studies by the American Psychological Association (APA) show that reading fiction increases empathy and emotional intelligence. By stepping into the shoes of different characters, readers learn to understand diverse perspectives, making them more compassionate and self-aware human beings.
The Quiet Revolution
There is a quiet revolution waiting to happen in Kashmir—a revolution not of noise or disruption, but of minds awakened by books. Imagine a generation of young Kashmiris who don’t just scroll but study, who don’t just react but reflect, who don’t just survive the long winters but thrive in their dreams. Imagine libraries buzzing with curiosity, classrooms filled with debates over literature and ideas, homes where reading together becomes a family ritual.
This transformation isn’t a dream too far. All it requires is access, encouragement, and belief. Schools and colleges must prioritize reading beyond textbooks. Communities can organize reading clubs. Elders can gift books instead of gadgets. Even a single book in the hands of a curious mind can change a life.
A report from the National Reading Panel in the United States found that students who read for pleasure are more likely to perform better academically and have better social and emotional development. With a focus on reading, a culture of lifelong learning can flourish.
Cultural Roots and Global Wings:
Kashmir has a rich literary heritage—from the spiritual verses of Lal Ded and Sheikh-ul-Alam to modern poets like Agha Shahid Ali. When young Kashmiris read, they reconnect with their cultural roots. They learn to honor their past while preparing for the future.
Reading not only builds bridges with the past but also with the world. English novels, translated global classics, scientific literature, and books on leadership and innovation open up new worlds. A young boy in Shopian can read about Elon Musk’s journey of entrepreneurship; a girl in Ganderbal can explore the philosophies of Viktor Frankl or Michelle Obama. Through books, the local becomes global.
Facing Real Challenges with Real Knowledge:
Financial hardship is real. Job opportunities, especially for the educated youth, are limited. According to a report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), youth unemployment in Kashmir stands at around 23%. The harsh winters often isolate communities and make daily routines a challenge. Water shortages disrupt even the simplest of tasks. But within these challenges lie opportunities to learn, to adapt, and to innovate.
Books can teach sustainable practices for water conservation. They can offer skills in online freelancing, farming innovation, or small-scale entrepreneurship. They can even guide youth in emotional resilience—how to cope with hardship and still hold on to hope.
Research from the World Bank highlights that education, particularly through reading and skill development, is the most effective way to combat youth unemployment. By learning new skills through books, young people in Kashmir can find new avenues of income and self-reliance, whether it’s through digital platforms, freelance work, or entrepreneurship.
Reading fosters not just knowledge, but grit. And grit is what helps one push forward when everything else seems to be standing still.
The Role of Parents and Teachers:
Parents and teachers play a pivotal role in igniting this spark. A child who sees their parents reading is more likely to pick up a book. A teacher who reads aloud in class is planting seeds that will blossom years later. Encouraging reading isn’t about forcing Shakespeare on a teenager. It’s about guiding them to discover what excites them—fantasy, poetry, history, self-help, or spiritual growth.
Moreover, reading can become a source of connection in families. In a society where intergenerational dialogue is fading, reading the same book and discussing it can become a shared joy.
What Lies Ahead:
So what does the future hold for Kashmir’s youth? With a book in hand, anything. They can become doctors, writers, teachers, entrepreneurs, artists—thinkers who question, dreamers who build. Reading plants the seed. What grows from it is a life filled with clarity, curiosity, and confidence.
A well-read youth is not just prepared for exams—they’re prepared for life. They can face adversity with calm, speak with conviction, and act with compassion. And when more young people begin to read, a culture of learning, empathy, and innovation takes root in the community.
We must also invest in infrastructure that supports reading: mobile libraries for remote areas, more funding for school libraries, mentorship programs that encourage reading, and public campaigns that celebrate young readers. Digital platforms can also help—eBooks, audiobooks, and online reading communities are powerful tools if used wisely.
Lighting the Path Forward:
To the youth of Kashmir: your story is still being written. You are the authors of your future. Let books be your guide, your shield, your inspiration. In every book you read, you gain not just knowledge but the power to imagine and shape a better tomorrow.
To the parents, teachers, and policymakers: plant the love of reading wherever you can. Support it. Celebrate it. Because in doing so, you’re not just shaping good students—you’re shaping wise citizens, resilient leaders, and compassionate human beings.
So let us not underestimate the quiet power of a page. In every book opened lies a spark. And in every young reader, the power to light up the world.
(The author is a creative writer, and English instructor based in Kashmir.)
