I Firmly Believe That a Child Needs a Printed Book in His Hands

"What if the greatest gift we could give a child wasn't a smartphone, a tablet, or even the fastest internet connection—but a simple printed book?"

Think about that for a moment.

In a world where children can ask artificial intelligence almost any question, where social media competes for every second of our attention, and where information travels faster than ever before, I stand before you with a belief that may sound old-fashioned to some—but I believe it is more relevant today than ever.

I firmly believe that every child needs a printed book in his or her hands.

Not because technology is bad.

Not because the future belongs to paper instead of pixels.

But because before a child learns to navigate the digital world, that child must first learn to navigate the world of imagination, empathy, curiosity, and deep thinking.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me ask you another question.

Do you remember the first book that truly touched your heart?

Perhaps it was a fairy tale your parents read before bedtime. Perhaps it was a school library book that transported you into another world. Maybe it was a story that made you laugh, cry, or dream bigger than your circumstances.

Notice something remarkable.

Most of us don't remember our first Google search.

We don't remember the first social media post we saw.

But many of us remember the first book that changed us.

That is the quiet power of a printed book.

A printed book asks for something that our digital world rarely does.

It asks for our complete attention.

Every time a child turns a page, something extraordinary happens. The child is not just reading words. The child is building concentration, strengthening memory, expanding vocabulary, and exercising imagination.

Scientists often speak about the importance of deep reading. Unlike endless scrolling, reading a physical book encourages the brain to slow down, reflect, and connect ideas. In an age where distractions are only a click away, the ability to focus has become a superpower.

And every great superpower begins with practice.

Today, artificial intelligence can summarize books.

It can answer homework questions.

It can even write stories.

But AI cannot replace the joy a child feels while discovering a story independently. It cannot replace the excitement of turning the next page to find out what happens. It cannot replace the emotional bond between a parent and child sharing a bedtime story.

Technology can provide information.

Books help build wisdom.

There is a difference.

Let me share the story of one remarkable person.

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, India's beloved "Missile Man" and former President, grew up in a humble family with limited resources. Books became his lifelong companions. Through reading, he expanded his vision far beyond his small hometown. Those printed pages helped shape the dreams of a boy who would one day inspire millions.

His success did not begin in a laboratory.

It began with curiosity.

And curiosity often begins with a book.

Around the world, countless leaders, scientists, entrepreneurs, artists, and innovators have one thing in common. Long before they changed the world, they spent countless hours reading it.

Today, we often worry about children's screen time.

We talk about anxiety.

We talk about shorter attention spans.

We talk about rising stress and declining mental well-being.

Could one part of the solution be surprisingly simple?

A printed book offers something screens rarely do.

Peace.

There are no notifications.

No advertisements.

No endless scrolling.

No comparison with strangers.

Just a conversation between the author and the reader.

In a noisy world, books create silence.

And in silence, children discover themselves.

Now let us think about another global challenge—climate change.

Some may argue, "Why print books? Isn't digital better for the environment?"

It is an important question.

The answer is not choosing one over the other.

The answer is balance.

Responsibly produced books, shared through libraries, passed from one child to another, treasured for years, and recycled when necessary can coexist with digital learning. We should build a future where technology and sustainability walk together—not where one completely replaces the other.

The goal is not to reject technology.

The goal is to raise thoughtful human beings who know how to use technology wisely.

Imagine two children.

One spends every free moment scrolling through short videos.

The other spends some time reading stories, exploring ideas, imagining different worlds, while also learning through technology.

Years later, which child is more likely to think creatively?

To solve complex problems?

To understand different cultures?

To communicate with empathy?

I believe we already know the answer.

Because stories do something extraordinary.

They allow us to live a thousand lives without leaving our chair.

When a child reads about courage, the seeds of courage are planted.

When a child reads about kindness, kindness grows.

When a child reads about perseverance, resilience takes root.

Books don't simply fill shelves.

They shape character.

Parents, your children may not always remember the toys you bought.

But they may always remember the evenings you spent reading together.

Teachers, every book you place in a child's hands is more than an assignment.

It is an invitation to dream.

Librarians, you are not just managing books.

You are opening doors to countless futures.

Students, every page you read today becomes part of the person you will become tomorrow.

And professionals, never underestimate the example you set. When children see adults reading—not because they have to, but because they love to—they learn that learning never ends.

My friends, the careers of tomorrow will demand creativity, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, adaptability, and lifelong learning. These are not developed by memorizing facts alone. They are nurtured through reading deeply, questioning boldly, and imagining fearlessly.

That journey often begins with a printed book.

So today, I want to leave you with one simple challenge.

Before this week ends, place a printed book into the hands of a child.

Read one chapter together.

Visit a library.

Donate a book.

Start a family reading tradition.

Gift a story instead of another gadget.

Because when you place a book into a child's hands, you are placing possibility into that child's future.

You are planting a seed whose shade you may never personally enjoy—but generations will.

Remember this:

A tablet can connect a child to the internet.

A printed book can connect a child to humanity.

A screen can provide answers.

A book teaches children how to ask better questions.

And those who ask better questions are the ones who create a better world.

So let us not simply raise children who know how to use technology.

Let us raise children who know how to think, imagine, care, and dream.

Give them a printed book.

Give them your time.

Give them the chance to discover the extraordinary power hidden inside ordinary pages.

Thank you, and may every child you meet hold not only a brighter future—but also a beautiful book in their hands.