Shubhanshu Shukla (BCCL/ @gagan.shux)
Because of the imagination and individual perspectives it encourages, “Physical reading remains important.
Speaking about the role of books in shaping young minds in an age dominated by technology, Shukla said he continued to prefer reading a physical book to reading on an electronic device. That is the power of books,” said Shukla. “Reading is a great habit, but it takes time to start, but once you start reading, you get to understand the beauty of this world,” he said. But when you learn a topic through books, the information you gather and the perspectives you develop are what make your knowledge stand apart,” he said. -Amina Ashraf Looking for trusted parenting advice?
For him, books remain an important source of imagination, one that encourages young readers to think beyond the immediate and explore worlds beyond what technology can offer. “Books allow every reader to create their own interpretation of a story. When you watch a movie, there are not many efforts required, but when you read a book, there is always a different perspective and imagination that each reader brings to the table. Take Harry Potter for example, everyone had their own ideas and imagination about the setting, the book and the characters. Shubhanshu Shukla (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav) For Shukla, the habit of reading may take time to develop, but once it does, it can change the way one looks at the world. The conversation also touched upon the growing influence of artificial intelligence and its place in learning. Shubhanshu reflected on the use of artificial intelligence instead of books to gain knowledge. I am in support of AI, as it can be a great tool that people can use to increase efficiency. But nothing can take away the importance of physical reading. Human beings are known for their imagination. Follow TOI Parenting Circle on Instagram for expert guidance, relatable stories, and practical tips delivered every day. Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.
Today, if you want to understand a topic using artificial intelligence, you may get a very similar and generic response to everyone else.
The Lucknow native, who became the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station as part of the Axiom-4 mission on June 25, 2025, was in Lucknow recently and interacted with readers and visitors at an ongoing book fair before visiting the Universal Book Store in Hazratganj. Group Captain and Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla returned to a bookstore that had been part of his childhood, using the familiar setting to reflect on the enduring value of reading, imagination and books.