By Emihun- I Pakma
SHILLONG, July 10: The activity of ‘reading’ for leisure can be rightfully assumed as thing of the past, as long as it is not academic reading or reading for competitive exams. This can be inferred from the declining sales of books, intended to be read for recreational purposes from the limited number of shops left in Shillong.
One of the most well-known shops of Shillong, the good-old Chapala Book Store, has a quaint corner dedicated to fiction, while the textbooks for school and academic books dominate the very spacious shop.
Speaking about the concerning scenario in Meghalaya, the owner of Chapala Book Stall, Buddhadeb Chaudhuri, shared the same sentiments.
He added that students do not read as much as they should compared to his time. He blames academic pressure and the demanding courses for acting as a glass wall between students and leisure reading. Sales of fictional books have drastically decreased, with only people above the age of 50 participating in reading. He mentioned that the youths visit bookstores solely for academic purposes; the concept of leisure reading is almost nonexistent.
He credited the rise of online platforms and digital development for lowering the reading culture percentage.
Searching for promoters of this activity is not as easy as it once was. Almost every bookstore that was a centre of joy for readers in the city of Shillong for many years has now been converted into cafes or other establishments to keep up with modern development. This is quite a mournful matter.
However, we are fortunate enough to witness a few bookstores standing still as they did many years ago. Newspaper and magazine retailer, Bipul Das, expressed his disappointment over the decreasing number of people who buy hard copies. He mentioned that, even for The Shillong Times, he used to sell 70 to 80 copies daily, which has now reduced to around 25.
The scenario is no different for U Like Book Lending Library, which is one of its kind in the city, where people can borrow books for reading.
DD Mawrie, who is the owner, said his sales depend on how well people are aware of current trends. He keeps up with the current demands but mentions that, market-wise, the reading culture has drastically declined.
The age group that rents books is 30 and above, suggesting that the younger generation is alienating itself entirely from the reading culture, a sentiment echoed by many bookstore owners.
Contrary to the opinions of other bookstore owners, Sujit Singh, owner of National Book Agency, which has been open since 2005, said that a bookstore needs to stay informed about current book trends and cater to the obsessions of the youth, who go crazy over new releases and famous authors. This is how he manages his sales.
He also mentioned that sales of books by local authors have been increasingly high, as more tourists want to learn about the local culture.
In fact, he noted that “Around the Hearth: Khasi Legends” by Kynpham Singh Nongkynrih has sold around 20,000 copies since its release in 2007, making it the best-selling local book in his store.
Proper promotion, staying updated on current trends, and listening to the demands of the youth are what keep sales thriving.
There is also hope in a modern form where the digital world blends with the pages. Many avid readers, who have publicised their love for reading through social media, spoke about how they are still trying to hold on to a hobby that is not practiced by many.
Termed as “bookstagrammers,” these reading influencers are using their social media handles in a world of digitalism.
When asked how they promote reading through Instagram, Manitre Sumer, who handles a bookstagram account with 3,905 followers, stated, “I promote reading through posts and Instagram reels. I mostly use quotes from books and make reels about them.”
She also mentioned that book clubs could be initiated in educational institutions to promote leisure reading and give students a break from academics.
Wandaka Lyngdoh, who joined bookstagram in 2021, talked about the lack of facilities that discourage the reading culture in the state. From libraries to bookstores, the state does not focus much on these, which is why many people are taking matters into their own hands to promote reading, and bookstagram is one of the major ways.
Wardibonlang Pakma, with around 11.4k followers, added, “The decline in reading culture saddens me, particularly because reading enriches us personally and exposes us to different perspectives and places, which is especially meaningful coming from a small state like ours. I believe digital distractions and a lack of early introduction to reading are major factors contributing to this decline. The accessibility to books is also a major factor.”
He suggests that to bolster the reading culture and book clubs, “the state could invest in libraries by expanding their collections to cater to diverse reader interests. Additionally, providing dedicated spaces for book club meetings and arranging author interactions would further enrich reading.”
All of them also mentioned the lack of followers from Meghalaya and more engagement from outside the state.
In addition, they are fortunate enough to be recognised by many publishing houses, including Simon & Schuster, Harper Collins, Pan Macmillan, Hachette, and even indie authors, who send them free books.