TEZU, 26 Sep: Indira Gandhi Government College (IGGC) Principal Kangki Megu exhorted students to master the skills of reading and writing by reducing mobile time, saying that nothing can replace these skills in life.

Speaking at the third Akashvani Freedom & Literacy Quiz prize distribution function at the Bamboosa Library here on Friday evening, Megu advised the students to not confine themselves to textbooks alone but to read a wide range of other books.

"Keep a regular timetable to reading, for it is very difficult to achieve excellence in life without focussed reading," he said.

He recalled that his village Mebo, though a remote place without a bridge link to Pasighat in the 1970s, had an excellent public library, which he used to visit regularly in his childhood.

"Writing skills is equally important for a youth. It is good to start keeping a daily diary," he suggested.

Cautioning the students against getting addicted to AI in their academic work, he reminded them that a mobile is a tool and not a replacement to books and reading.

Tezu airport air traffic controller Yogesh Kumar Mishra said, "If you don't know how to catch a scorpion, don't try becoming a snake-catcher," as he presented a lively analogy on reading and AI.

"Only one who has mastered reading skills can benefit in any way from the vast and immense potentials of AI," he said.

Pointing out that "a paper can get blown away directionless, but only a kite can rise to great heights," he highlighted the importance of making the best use reading in a public library.

"Old school is the best school," he added.

Akashvani Tezu Programme Executive Dr Chintra Mein expressed her happiness at the enthusiastic participation of school and college students this year in the quiz during August and September.

Dr Mein thanked the Bamboosa Library and the Forum of Library Activists, Medo for conducting the quiz for the third consecutive year, and the District Adult Education Department for sponsoring the literacy quiz prizes.