Books Build Better Citizens
Education should never end with a textbook, a classroom lecture or an examination result. Its real purpose is visible in the habits young people develop, the choices they make and the responsibility they show towards themselves, society and the environment. The Reading Marathon along Dal Lake brought this idea into public view by connecting reading, physical fitness and environmental responsibility in one meaningful initiative.
The concept is simple, but its message is powerful. Young people today are growing up in an age of constant digital distraction, academic pressure and increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Asking them to read, run and reflect on the environment may appear modest, but these are precisely the habits that build stronger individuals and more responsible citizens. The theme, “Run for a Green Future”, is especially relevant in Jammu and Kashmir. The region possesses extraordinary natural wealth, but its lakes, rivers, forests and mountains cannot be treated as permanent gifts requiring no protection. Pollution, waste, irresponsible construction and changing climate conditions are placing increasing pressure on fragile ecosystems. Environmental responsibility must therefore begin early and become part of everyday behaviour. Reading about climate change is useful. Acting upon that knowledge is far more important. Students who understand environmental challenges should also learn to conserve water, reduce plastic use, avoid littering, protect green spaces and question practices that damage their surroundings. Education that does not influence behaviour remains incomplete. Physical fitness deserves the same attention. Academic achievement cannot be the only measure of student development. A generation spending long hours before screens needs playgrounds, running tracks, outdoor activities and sports as much as it needs libraries and laboratories. Fitness develops discipline and endurance while also helping young people manage stress and build confidence. Reading itself needs renewed attention. The habit of carefully reading a book is competing with short videos, endless scrolling and rapidly shrinking attention spans. Schools, colleges and families cannot simply complain about this trend. They must actively rebuild a culture where books are accessible, libraries are alive and reading becomes enjoyable rather than compulsory. This is where initiatives such as the Reading Marathon can support the broader objectives of the National Education Policy. Holistic education cannot remain an attractive phrase in policy documents. It must be visible in the daily life of students through reading, sports, environmental activities, creativity, leadership and community participation. The message of discipline, courage and national service adds another important dimension. The stories of young soldiers who fought during the Kargil War remind students that youth is not an obstacle to leadership. Captain Vikram Batra, Manoj Kumar Pandey, Captain Anuj Nayyar and many others demonstrated how courage, preparation and commitment can give young people the strength to shoulder extraordinary responsibilities. But one successful marathon cannot create lasting change by itself. Educational institutions should carry this spirit forward through reading clubs, fitness programmes, tree and water conservation initiatives, waste reduction campaigns and student-led community projects. The aim should be to turn occasional participation into permanent habits. The administration, National Book Trust, educational institutions and organisers deserve appreciation for placing books, health and environmental responsibility together on one platform. The next step must be continuity. Every school and college should be encouraged to develop its own programme linking knowledge with action.
Jammu and Kashmir needs young people who are intellectually curious, physically strong, environmentally conscious and socially responsible. That cannot be achieved through examinations alone. The real success of the Reading Marathon will come when students leave the event not merely with memories, but with habits that remain with them for life. The administration and organisers deserve appreciation for linking reading, fitness and environmental responsibility through a meaningful youth initiative. The momentum should now reach every school and college through active libraries, regular fitness programmes, green clubs and community projects, ensuring that the Reading Marathon becomes not a one-day celebration, but the beginning of healthier habits, deeper learning and responsible citizenship.
