Lack of Reading: A Quiet National Security Threat

I would like to begin by thanking ISBUND for creating a space where children and adults alike are encouraged to read, write, and reflect. In an age dominated by short-form social media content, platforms like ISBUND play an important role in slowing us down and reminding us of the value of thoughtful engagement.

Today, attention spans are shrinking rapidly. We scroll endlessly, swipe without pause, and consume information in fragments, often without context, depth, or verification. While social media clips can be entertaining and sometimes informative, they rarely ask us to think critically. A few seconds of video is often followed by another swipe, another clip, another opinion, each demanding a judgement before we have fully understood the story.

Reading, on the other hand, does something very different. It gives us the power to question. When we read books or long-form articles, we engage directly with the writer’s ideas. We are not rushed. We can pause, reread, disagree, and reflect. Reading trains the mind to distinguish real news from fake news, substance from manipulation, and facts from emotional provocation.

I am not suggesting that watching short clips is inherently bad. Multimedia content has its place. But it is important to recognise that short clips, especially those filled with dramatic visuals, music, and heavy editing, are far more influential than plain text. In multimedia environments, directors and editors guide the viewer’s emotions and conclusions. The audience is often “empowered” towards a specific viewpoint without realising it.

Books are different. They rely on a single medium: words. A writer must work much harder to persuade a reader, and the reader must actively participate in the process. This balance makes reading a powerful tool for independent thinking. Reading does not tell you what to think; it teaches you how to think.

I say this as someone who was not a reader in my younger years. I never developed a habit of reading early in life. It wasn’t easy for me, and it didn’t come naturally. I only began developing this skill in middle age. That experience taught me something important: reading is not effortless, but it is deeply rewarding.

For anyone struggling to read, my advice is simple: start with your passion. Read about what genuinely interests you. Whether it’s history, travel, technology, sport, or personal stories, passion makes reading less intimidating. Over time, this habit grows naturally.

Joining a book club was a turning point for me. A book club not only helps you stay accountable, but it also pushes you beyond your comfort zone and broadens your reading range. The first book I read in my book club was Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. Honestly, just looking at the title, I doubt I would have picked it up on my own, especially as someone who was not a regular reader.

The book started slowly for me. In the beginning, I struggled. But as I continued, something changed. I became invested. The story pulled me in, and by the time I reached the climax, I was fully engaged. I remember finishing the book while sitting under an umbrella in the rain, an experience that made reading feel almost cinematic in its own quiet way.

That moment made me wonder: how many of us have ever watched short video clips under an umbrella in the rain? Reading creates memories like that, moments of presence, patience, and reflection.

My book club members played a crucial role in encouraging me. When I joined late for the second book, they reassured me that I could still finish it. The language was easier, and I found myself enjoying the process more. As I read, I began visualising the scenes vividly. In my mind, I was directing the story like a film, imagining actors, even casting someone like Hrithik in the lead role.

This is the power of reading. Someone who never considered themselves a reader suddenly becomes a director, a storyteller, and a creator. Imagine what people who grow up with strong reading habits are capable of achieving.

Reading didn’t just turn me into a reader, it turned me into a writer. Today, I am writing about my own life experiences, reflections, and observations. I am also writing for ISBUND, a digital magazine and community platform that publishes personal stories, cultural pieces, and thoughtful reflections. Writing became possible because reading trained my mind to organise thoughts, question ideas, and express myself clearly.

Again, I want to be clear: I am not against watching clips. In fact, clips can inspire writing too. This very article was influenced by a short clip I watched. The difference is what we do after watching. Instead of moving on to the next clip, we can pause, reflect, and write. That simple act strengthens both reading and writing habits.

Now, I want to touch on a more serious concern: national security.

This may sound dramatic, but it is worth considering. Generations change. We, the older generation, will eventually step aside. The next generation will inherit responsibility for society, democracy, and national decision-making. If that generation lacks critical thinking skills, skills developed through reading, it becomes vulnerable.

The greatest threats to a nation are not always distant enemies. Often, they come from neighbouring regions, unresolved borders, misinformation, and long-term conflicts. Many wars begin with misunderstanding, misinformation, and emotional manipulation, and once they start, they can last for years with devastating consequences.

Reading is one of the most effective defences against this. It teaches patience, context, history, and perspective. It helps citizens question narratives instead of blindly accepting them. A population that reads is harder to mislead and harder to divide.

This is why encouraging reading is not just a cultural issue, it is a strategic one.

Platforms like ISBUND are quietly doing important work by nurturing reading and writing habits in younger generations. In a noisy world filled with instant opinions, reading offers clarity. In a fast world, it offers depth. And in an uncertain world, it offers wisdom.

If there is one message I would leave you with, it is this:
Watch clips, but read more. Write more. Question more.
You may be surprised by how much power those habits give you.