By Vimal Kapoor
My journey with books began when I was promoted to class one. I vividly remember the day our teacher handed out a printed list of textbooks and exercise books to all the students. My mother took me to ‘Jugal Kishore and Sons’, a renowned bookstore on Rajpur Road. Though it no longer exists, it was once located across from Astley Hall and was a beloved destination for book lovers. In fact, for schoolbooks and stationery, Jugal Kishore and Sons and Universal Book Depot were the two leading bookstores of the town.
I still recall the thrill I felt as I gazed at the towering shelves lined with bright, glossy, new books. It was a feeling quite similar to the excitement of visiting a candy store. We bought the prescribed books, along with Natraj pencils, a metallic sharpener, erasers, and a box of colours, brown paper sheets, and labels. The moment we returned home, I eagerly opened the bag and began flipping through the pages. The crisp texture of fresh paper under my fingers, the vibrant illustrations and sketches – they filled me with wonder. By evening, I had covered and labelled all my books and arranged them neatly on a shelf.
Since that day, I’ve been enchanted by books and bookstores. Be it the Doon Club library, the shops in Paltan Bazaar or Rajpur Road, or the two bookshops near the BSNL office in Mussoorie – I can never resist stepping inside to browse. I never hesitate to spend money on books. It’s not a financial investment, but an investment in the mind.
Until high school, my reading consisted mostly of Archies, Phantom, Superman, and Tintin comics. Apart from a few titles like Gulliver’s Travels and King Solomon’s Mines, I hadn’t ventured much into storybooks. But everything changed in Class 10, when my friend Jatinder Singh lent me a James Hadley Chase novel. That single book opened an entirely new world to me. From then on, I became a devoted reader of authors like Ruskin Bond, Wilbur Smith, Tom Clancy, Sydney Sheldon, Khushwant Singh, Vikram Seth, and Jeffrey Archer—just to name a few of my favourites.
Even in today’s world of smart phones, OTT platforms, satellite TV and computers, reading remains my preferred form of relaxation. For book lovers like me, reading is not just a pastime – it’s a gateway to different worlds, times, and cultures. Sadly, with the rise of digital distractions, fewer young people are taking to books. Many prefer to spend time on mobile phones, television, gaming consoles, and laptops. While embracing technology is important, I believe it’s equally vital for young people to dedicate some time to reading.
Books are windows to the vast world beyond our immediate surroundings. Reading not only builds vocabulary and improves language skills, but it also stimulates the brain in a way that passive entertainment cannot. Just as your mobile needs a charger to function, your mind needs books to grow and thrive. It’s a habit that can become a healthy, lifelong addiction, keeping you informed and connected with ideas, both old and new.
To the younger generation: don’t stay glued to battery-powered screens all day. Instead, experience the feel of crisp pages in your hands, and let your imagination soar. In an age of endless digital distractions, books remain a steadfast refuge—a timeless source of wisdom, wonder, and connection. The reading habit, far from being a nostalgic indulgence, is a cornerstone of personal growth and cultural enrichment. Happy reading!
(Vimal Kapoor, a Dehradun resident, is passionate about literature, creating writing, cricket and exploration through travel)
