There is a Punjabi saying “Char danan di zindagi a kajh khali lili pi lili moj uda lili” or first belly pooja phir kum duja! Our society is a walking example of this adage.
If there is marriage then food, if there is illness then it is necessary to eat, if there is death then the first question is where to eat when there is a funeral? Our first priority is only food. Food is necessary everywhere in every situation. The same situation is also in our educational institutions where there is more rush in the canteens of colleges and universities than in the classes.
Food is considered to be the most important part of our life while libraries, bookstores etc. look deserted, which is a testimony to the lack of history, ideals and morals among the young generation of our society.
This article also points to what we all have seen around us why people in Pakistan prefer food over books. Food is often our first daily need but why is it that we as a nation prioritize eating over reading and learning? Why do we as a nation invest more time in recreational activities than in knowledge and self-improvement? Why do we prioritize entertainment and social media over intellectual pursuits like reading and critical thinking?
Why has our culture shifted and continues to shift towards things like food and entertainment instead of valuing education? Why do we find it easier to spend hours watching TV shows instead of reading a book or learning something new? Have our economic challenges forced us to prioritize survival and happiness over long-term investment in education and learning? Why do so few people in our country find pleasure in reading, while eating and drinking dominate our daily lives? Along with a renewed focus on education and intellectual development, what else can we do as a nation? How does our fast-paced modern lifestyle lead to a decline in reading habits among young people? Are we missing the importance of intellectual development by constantly prioritizing comfort and entertainment?
Food has an important cultural and social value in Pakistan. From family dinners to street food culture, food is often associated with celebration, hospitality and tradition. Well-known sociologist Akbar S. Ahmed explains that in the traditional Pakistani society, food items are given more importance.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the literacy rate in Pakistan is about 60 percent. Pakistan’s renowned scholar Professor Dr. Pervez Hodbhai says that “Education in Pakistan is in crisis because we have allowed rote learning to dominate critical thinking.” “Students memorize facts without understanding them and this destroys the love of reading and learning.”
Reliance on rote learning means that for many students, reading is not an enjoyable experience but a burden. It’s no wonder that outside of school or college, they want to engage in something that provides instant gratification, such as food or entertainment. But how did we get to this point?
Eating provides instant gratification, whereas intellectual pursuits, such as reading or pondering complex matters, are time-consuming and patient pursuits. Educationist Dr. Faisal Bari says that socio-economic problems of Pakistan also play a role in this. He says that when people struggle to meet their needs, they tend to prioritize immediate needs. Education and intellectual development take a back seat when you worry about where your next meal is coming from.
So, it is not just a matter of preference, but also of access. Books, libraries, and quality education are luxuries for many in Pakistan. With digital distribution, food becomes a more accessible form of relaxation than intellectual nourishment, especially in rural areas.
But there is more to it than economics. In the age of social media, entertainment and food dominate our screens. Every other Instagram post is about the latest food trend, and eating out has become a big part of citizens’ lives. Meanwhile, bookstores are shrinking. Renowned scholar Dr. Nomanul Haq says how this shift towards intellectual pursuits is detrimental to the development of a thoughtful society. He says that intellectual culture is dying in Pakistan because we are no longer encouraging critical thinking or curiosity. An illiterate nation loses the ability to question and innovate.
This is a valid concern. When people prioritize eating or entertainment over reading, we lose our ability to engage in critical thinking, which is essential to growth. Both Dr. Hudbhai and Dr. Haq stress that without a culture of learning, we risk stagnation in fields like science, literature and even politics.
But that doesn’t mean we stop enjoying food. It is a part of our identity and culture. The question is one of balance. Renowned Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz beautifully expressed the need for both intellectual and emotional nurturing in his work and said:
Where there is no difference between sadness and happiness
I kept bringing my heart to this place
Faiz’s words remind us that while we enjoy life’s pleasures like food and company, we should also feed our souls with knowledge and memory. In a country like Pakistan where we are facing numerous challenges, books can offer not only knowledge but also hope, ideas and solutions.
Pakistan has a rich food culture, and it’s something to be proud of. But let’s not ignore the importance of intellectual development
