AGARTALA : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on December 2 urged young people to turn away from excessive social media use and rediscover the habit of reading books, describing sustained reading as essential for intellectual growth and social development.

Inaugurating the Agartala Book Fair at the Badharghat International Fairground, Saha expressed concern over what he termed a growing dependence on social media among the youth. He appealed to students and young readers to make books a part of their daily routine and called upon parents and guardians to nurture this habit from an early age.

“Reading books is irreplaceable when it comes to gaining knowledge,” the Chief Minister said. “The youth should develop a daily reading habit instead of spending a substantial amount of time on social media. Guardians have a crucial role in motivating children to read and guiding them toward meaningful learning.”

Emphasising the cultural value of books, Saha also encouraged the revival of the traditional practice of gifting books on social and family occasions, recalling that it was once a common custom in Tripura. Such practices, he said, help foster curiosity, discipline and critical thinking among children.

The Agartala Book Fair this year features 183 stalls and has adopted ‘Vande Mataram’ as its central theme. Referring to the theme, Saha noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier appealed for programmes to mark the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, and he praised the organisers for choosing a song of national significance that reflects India’s cultural and historical legacy.

The Chief Minister also pointed out that although publishers from various parts of the country are participating in the fair, publishers and booksellers from Bangladesh are absent this year due to the prevailing situation across the border.

The book fair is expected to attract large crowds over the coming days, offering readers access to a wide range of titles across genres. Organisers said the event aims not only to promote books and publishing but also to reinforce a culture of reading at a time when digital distractions increasingly dominate daily life.

Promotional | North East Integration Rally