“If You Have Time to Live, You Have Time to Read”
By Armstrong Vas
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Doha: At a time when digital screens dominate daily life and information is available at the touch of a button, the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) in Qatar is making a strong case for the enduring value of physical books. Leading this effort is ICC President A.P. Manikantan, whose vision has culminated in the establishment of a community library designed to nurture reading habits and literary engagement among the Indian diaspora.
In an exclusive interview with Armstrong Vaz, Manikantan spoke passionately about the importance of reading, the role of literature in personal growth, and the need to reconnect younger generations with books.
Addressing the perception that physical books are becoming obsolete in the digital age, Manikantan rejected the notion that reading is in decline.
“When we speak with publishers, we find that sales of physical books are actually increasing. People are still reading. While digital platforms have their place, the experience of reading a physical book is unique. To truly enjoy and understand a subject, one has to read deeply and personally,” he said.
According to Manikantan, one of the primary objectives behind the ICC Library initiative is to encourage children and young adults to develop a lasting relationship with books.
“We have to promote reading among the new generation. That culture is slowly disappearing, and we must revive it. Reading is not merely a hobby; it is essential for growth and self-development,” he remarked.
A lifelong reader himself, Manikantan revealed that he dedicates at least an hour every day to reading. He underscored the importance of making reading an integral part of everyday life.
“There is a quote from Lenin which says, ‘If somebody says they do not have time to read, it means they do not have time to live.’ If you have time to live, you have time to read. Without reading, we cannot grow, and we cannot keep ourselves updated with the world around us.”
Beyond the library’s extensive collection of more than 7,000 books, Manikantan highlighted another unique initiative that has quietly been flourishing within the ICC — its network of literary clubs operating in multiple Indian languages.
“We currently have seven literature clubs functioning in Indian languages including Malayalam, Kannada, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, Hindi and Tamil. These clubs are helping students remain connected with their language, culture and literary heritage,” he explained.
The clubs bring together experienced writers, readers and literary enthusiasts from the community who mentor students and guide discussions on books and authors. Participants are informed in advance about the topic of discussion, allowing them to prepare and actively contribute during sessions.
“Discussion is one of the most effective ways to develop a love for books. When students read, present their thoughts and exchange ideas, they become more engaged with literature. This approach helps build critical thinking and communication skills while fostering a genuine reading culture,” Manikantan noted.
Importantly, the ICC remains open to expanding the programme to include additional languages based on community interest.
“If any language community wishes to start a literary club and has sufficient participation, we are happy to support them,” he said.
The ICC Library itself has been envisioned as more than a repository of books. It includes a dedicated children’s section aimed at encouraging early reading habits and a comfortable reading room where visitors can spend time immersed in books and research materials.
Open daily from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm, except Saturdays, the facility is expected to serve students, professionals, researchers and readers from across the Indian community.
For Manikantan, however, the library’s success will not be measured merely by the number of books on its shelves but by the number of lives it enriches.
“In the end, our goal is simple — to create a community that reads, learns and grows together. Books have the power to transform lives, and through this library we hope to inspire that transformation in future generations.”
With the launch of the ICC Community Library, Manikantan’s vision of creating a vibrant centre for learning and cultural exchange has taken a significant step forward, offering the Indian community in Qatar a valuable space where knowledge, literature and lifelong learning can thrive.
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