Gorakhpur: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the Gorakhpur Book Festival 2025 at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University (DDU Gorakhpur University) on Saturday, urging students and youth to reduce screen time on smartphones and cultivate the habit of reading books.
“A good book is a person’s best friend and guide,” CM Yogi said, addressing the gathering. He emphasized that excessive dependence on smartphones is contributing to anxiety and distraction among young people and encouraged them to use their time constructively through reading.
Grand Inauguration of the Book Festival
The festival, which runs from November 1 to 9, 2025, was inaugurated with a lamp-lighting ceremony by the Chief Minister. Following the ceremony, CM Yogi distributed books to children and visited various stalls organized across the university campus. He highlighted that the festival is not merely a platform for book sales but a celebration of knowledge, dialogue, and reflection.
“The books are instruments through which thoughtfulness and sensitivity develop in society. Gorakhpur has been a land of knowledge and culture,” the Chief Minister said. He also praised institutions like Gita Press for promoting Indian culture, spirituality, and Sanatan philosophy over the past century.
Special Programs for Children and Students
The festival includes special activities for children, such as storytelling sessions, quizzes, art competitions, and book reading events. For university students, interactive sessions like “Meet the Author” with renowned writers from across India have been arranged.
CM Yogi encouraged students to read at least half an hour every day and advised them to use mobile phones only for essential purposes. He recommended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s book “Exam Warriors” as an inspirational guide for students, not only for exam preparation but also for building confidence and balance in life.
Over 200 Stalls from Across India
More than 200 publishers and institutions from across the country are participating in the festival, including National Book Trust (NBT), Sahitya Akademi, Rajkamal Prakashan, government ministries, and Gita Press. Books on religion, literature, science, technology, competitive exam preparation, children’s literature, and life management are on display.
Promoting Reading Culture in Eastern UP
The Chief Minister highlighted the importance of connecting the younger generation with books in an era dominated by social media. “The generation today is getting lost in mobile and social media. We must bring children closer to books, as they strengthen society,” he said.
University and NBT’s Role
Prof. Rajesh Singh, Vice-Chancellor of DDU University, called the event a moment of pride for the university and the region and confirmed that such book festivals will be organized annually. Dr. Yaduvansh Sharma, President of NBT, added that books are not just a source of entertainment but a mirror of humanity, and a literate and thoughtful population is key to national development.
A Landmark Event for Eastern Uttar Pradesh
The Gorakhpur Book Festival 2025 is being hailed as the largest literary event in Eastern UP, expected to draw thousands of students, teachers, authors, and general public throughout the week. The festival aims to revive and strengthen the reading culture in the region, with plans to expand similar events to Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Lucknow in the coming years.
Books as a Foundation for Nation-Building
CM Yogi concluded, “Books shape the character of a nation. When citizens read, the entire nation progresses. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message is clear — read, and inspire others to read.” He emphasized that Gorakhpur has historically been a confluence of knowledge, culture, and nationalism, and this book festival continues that proud tradition.
