While electronic books (e-books) are gaining in popularity all over the world owing to their easy accessibility, many Puneites still prefer to curl up with their favourite tomes whenever they get the time.
While electronic books (e-books) are gaining in popularity all over the world owing to their easy accessibility, many Puneites still prefer to curl up with their favourite tomes whenever they get the time.
Once you start reading, there isn’t any difference between the two
We have a huge and wonderful library of 45,000 e-books. It is an absolutely convenient way of reading. Once you start, there is not too much of a difference between the printed form and the technological one. In fact, e-books are much easier to read. I was used to reading the newspaper online, so for me it was much simpler to shift to e-books. What can be more fun and convenient than having all books, newspapers and magazines from the world just a click away? My son also reads e-books on his little DS. I personally find it extremely useful and fantastic in every way.
Kajari Mitra, manager, British Council Library
Children may love e-books due to the audio-visual appeal
I prefer printed books over e-books because I find them easier to use. I do read e-books but after reading a few pages, it becomes cumbersome to keep staring at the screen. It’s a strain to the eyes and body.
You can read printed books anywhere; that’s the biggest advantage. Moreover, I am able to imagine better when I read books physically. However, that is a debatable issue as it depends on your age as well. Children may love e-books due to the visual appeal. They are bound to be more attracted towards animated, audio-visual versions of books. However, adults go for content rather than presentation, so printed books that are affordable and easy to use are the preferred choice for us.
I know that the availability of e-books is a boon for students pursuing higher studies, as reference books are costly. I still cannot completely switch to this form of reading, but I do use e-books when required, though not with interest.
Harshavardhan Jagdale, engineer
The hard copy of a book always seems more authentic
I have read e-books, but never as rigorously as the way I read printed ones. I find the hard copy of any book more believable and authentic. Moreover, the references are provable. If I have to prove any point in my research or project, I can get a book from the library and show the content. However, when it comes to an e-book, people may doubt its authenticity.
In case of e-books, you need a good Internet connection to download, otherwise technological problems could crop up. Apart from this, sitting in front of a screen for too long can lead to backache, strain on the eyes and so on. Why bother about it then?
The best way is to become a member of a library and you always have access to any book you may need for reference. You may find other related books that could help as well. E-books are a good concept, but I don’t find them an attractive option.
Amol Khandhare, MA (economics) student
Books still make for amazing gifts
I come from a rural area and have been studying in Pune since two years, but have not come across e-books. My city friends do not use them either. It’s a totally new concept for me. I don’t think it will be of any use to me because where I come from we do not have the infrastructure to get Internet connection. Thus, people from rural areas prefer the printed forms. Everyone also cannot afford a computer, apart from technical issues like access to network and so on.
I also think most people like to go and read at their favourite places. Books still make for amazing gifts and we consider them priceless. So, how can technology replace books that we worship? However gigantic the world of e-books is, printed ones will never go out of fashion for us.
Suresh Bhosale, MA (English) student
There are emotions attached to books; they are like friends
E-books are a new concept for us Indians. We grow up with the concept of the library and traditional printed books. Thus, we are habituated to running to a book shop or library to buy or borrow the books we need. Everyone is not familiar with technology. In fact, in India there are many misconceptions about computers and technology. We consider books anytime better than sitting in front of a non- emotional box of technology. In addition, there is the tedious process of downloading e-books.
I find e-books boring and cannot relate to them. There are emotions attached to books; they are like friends. Moreover, you can just sit anywhere and read.
However, for instant information, I do browse Google and find e-books for reference. Though e-books can never replace my hard copies, it is logical to use them at times instead of buying expensive medical books.
Supriya Borole, medical aspirant
I find it inspiring to have easy access to so much information
I consider e-books not only a fabulous concept, but also a revolutionary one. Imagine a whole load of books just a click away. You do not have to go anywhere and it is so easy to access them. The most attractive part is that you can access them from anywhere. Moreover, the visual advantages of e-books give them an edge over the version. I find it inspiring to have easy access to so much information. However, I don’t think it is possible for us to switch over completely as we not only look for knowledge in books, but also companionship. Urban India may see e-books becoming more popular, but people coming from the old school of thought will not be able to accept the change easily.
Dhananjay Thorat, literature student
I like the idea of looking for books in the market or joining a library
Going to the library, searching for the book you want, coming across other books that you are inspired to read — all this adds to the overall reading experience. E-books are extremely easy to access. Thus, at times, we do not value something that is readily available.
I like the idea of looking for books in the market, bargaining for them or joining a library that has innumerable tomes to choose from. The number of friends you make while cultivating your habit of reading is another advantage. All this is just not possible while reading alone when you are sitting in your room reading an e-book.
Anuja Pawar, English fiction student
You don’t get the joy of owning something you like with e-books
I do refer to e-books as it is not always possible to get hard copies for various reasons. E-books do not interest me much. They do not have a feel-good factor or the joy that comes from owning them. I look at books as an investment. Moreover, Indians do not prefer e-books because most do not have access to technology. People will first have to be educated on how to use tools like the Internet to search for books.
Vishwas Nimbalkar, IAS aspirant
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}