The book reading habit among the youths is declining due to excessive usage of telecommunication and changing lifestyle as the trend needs to be curtailed for a healthy society.

The book reading habit among the youths is declining due to excessive usage of telecommunication and changing lifestyle as the trend needs to be curtailed for a healthy society. It was stated by University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Iqbal Zafar while launching new edition of UAF Students Magazine Kisht-e-Nau 2017-18. Renowned writer Gul-e- Naukhaiz Akhtar, Prof Dr Zafar Iqbal Randhawa, Convener Kisth-e-Nau Dr Shahzad Basra, poets Anjum Saleemi, Asfhraf Yousafi, Deputy Registrar Public Relations and Publications Syed Qamar-ud-Din Bukhari, Dr Asim Aqeel, Dr Ameer Bibi, Dr Shoukat Ali, Chief Editors Muhammad Saif, Muhammad Tauseef and other notables also spoke on the occasion. The Vice Chancellor stressed upon the need to promote the literary activities among the youth as, he termed, literature essential for personality development. He said that the youth of country was having a lot of potential and by flourishing their reading activities; we will be able to compete with the rest of world. He said that we have to promote the culture of easiness and happiness in the society. He said that only books could eradicate injustices and social disparities. He said that quality education was the engine of bright future. He said that in the modern era, the people are glued to cell phones, internet and TV sets etc. He said that such platforms provided an opportunity to the students to excel in literature and it also worked as motivational stage for the promotion in the literature. Gul-e- Naukhaiz Akhtar said that with humorous writing, we can not only create the atmosphere of happiness but also can highlight problems and issues of the society in a better way. He added that there is a need to spread the message of love, care and tolerance in the society. He added that development of our link with book was imperative to fight different problems and challenges. Dr Shahazad Basra called for promoting book reading habit among people which eventually ensured development of nation. He said that book reading prompted tolerance, harmony in the society.