Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the Gomti Book Festival at the Gomti River Front Park in Lucknow on Friday. The festival, running from November 9 to 17, is organized jointly by the National Book Trust and the Lucknow Development Authority. At the event, the Chief Minister urged children to read beyond their curriculum books, emphasizing the importance of creative and informative literature.
Yogi Adityanath encouraged students to buy at least one book at the fair, helping them develop a reading habit. “Reading good books can enrich your knowledge and broaden your mind,” he said, stressing that the youth should not limit themselves to textbooks alone.
CM Highlights the Impact of Technology on Youth
During his speech, Chief Minister Adityanath expressed concern over the rising influence of digital technology on today’s youth. He pointed out that many young people spend up to six hours a day on smartphones and other digital devices. He urged them to redirect this time towards more productive activities. “Use technology, but do not become its slave,” he advised.
The Chief Minister also spoke about India’s rich tradition of knowledge, particularly through the ancient Shruti tradition. He highlighted the significance of texts like the Ramcharit Manas and the Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta, stressing the importance of learning and practicing knowledge passed down through generations. “We must revive this tradition and inspire our youth to value wisdom contained in books,” he added.
Gomti Book Festival to Be Expanded Across Uttar Pradesh
Yogi Adityanath applauded the initiative of the National Book Trust and proposed that similar book fairs be organized in all 18 divisions of Uttar Pradesh. He noted that such events could boost public interest in books and benefit all sections of society. The Chief Minister emphasized that books help expand our thinking and make us more aware of societal issues.
Several intellectuals, writers, and book enthusiasts attended the third edition of the Gomti Book Festival. National Book Trust President Professor Milan Marathi, Director Colonel Yuvraj Malik, and State Government Advisor Avnish Awasthi were also present. After the ceremony, CM Adityanath toured the book stalls and congratulated the organizers for their innovative efforts
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