Switch over to reading from addiction to reels and shorts, says CM Stalin

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday (December 22, 2025) made a strong case for reading books, saying reading was a form of meditation.

“However busy you are, read books for at least half an hour or even 15 minutes [daily]. Children in your house follow you. Parents should be an example to their children,” he said while releasing three books — Theerarkal Kottam DMK, Dravida Arasiyal–Dravida Arasu Iyal, and Muraiseithu Kaapatrum Muthalamaichar — by journalist P. Thirumavelan.

Mr. Stalin also expressed concern over the growing addiction to social media reels and shorts that last only a few seconds, saying such habits had prevented the youth from concentrating on anything.

“They suffer from a lack of concentration. They should realise that good things take time. Reading books is a meditation and will help the mind to concentrate,” he said.

Mr. Stalin described books as “weapons of knowledge” and said like all weapons, they would corrode if kept on racks without being used. “Do not keep books on racks merely to decorate houses. Read every day, and it will prevent your brain from corroding,” he said.

The Chief Minister reiterated that as long as the DMK followed its “tradition of amassing knowledge”, semi-literate forces could not even shake the party, which had grown like a banyan tree.

“Reading and development are intertwined. Tamil Nadu, which emerged because of Dravidianism, will not bow to anyone. The daydream of fascists will not become a reality,” he said.