Chief Minister Mr. Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the Gorakhpur Book Festival 2025 on Saturday at the Deendayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University (DDU) campus. The nine-day event, jointly organized by the National Book Trust (NBT) and DDU University, will run from November 1 to 9, offering a vibrant platform for readers, writers, and publishers.
At the inauguration, Mr. Yogi Adityanath distributed books to children and interacted with school students, emphasizing that “good books are a person’s best guide and true companion.” He reflected on India’s ancient guru-shishya (teacher-disciple) and shravan (listening) traditions, noting how the country’s sages laid the foundation of India’s literary and intellectual heritage through documented wisdom.
“The Country Progresses When Citizens Read,” Says Chief Minister
Linking literacy to national progress, Mr. Yogi Adityanath cited Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s vision, saying, “When citizens read, the country leads.” He said the Gorakhpur Book Festival would offer the people of Gorakhpur and Eastern Uttar Pradesh a wonderful opportunity to explore books of varied interests from over 200 stalls.
He underlined that a well-read society is the foundation of a developed nation and that such festivals strengthen intellectual discourse while preserving India’s cultural identity.
Gorakhpur: A Land of Literature and Spiritual Heritage
The Chief Minister described Gorakhpur as a land with a rich literary and spiritual legacy. He highlighted that for over a century, Geeta Press Gorakhpur has been spreading the ideology of Sanatan Dharma across India and abroad through its publications.
Paying tribute to celebrated writers like Mr. Firaq Gorakhpuri, Mr. Munshi Premchand, and Professor Vishwanath Tripathi, Mr. Adityanath also remembered the late litterateur Mr. Shriram Dars Mishra for his contributions to Hindi literature.
“Double-Engine Government” Expanding Libraries Across Uttar Pradesh
Emphasizing the state’s developmental agenda, Mr. Yogi Adityanath said that the “double-engine government” is actively building a network of libraries to promote a reading culture at the grassroots level. Libraries have been established alongside village secretariats in 57,600 gram panchayats across Uttar Pradesh.
He further added that out of over 1.56 lakh primary schools, 1.36 lakh have been renovated with new facilities, including digital libraries and reading corners, to nurture curiosity and creativity among children.
Books vs. Smartphones: CM Urges Youth to Choose Reading
Addressing the challenges of modern digital dependency, Mr. Adityanath urged youth to reduce excessive smartphone use, warning that it leads to distraction and depression. He recommended reading books such as Exam Warriors by Prime Minister Modi, describing it as a valuable guide for students to manage academic stress.
He noted that books on religion, environment, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) not only prepare students for exams but also guide them through life’s challenges.
Honouring Anganwadi Workers and Young Achievers
In recognition of their service, Mr. Yogi Adityanath honored several Anganwadi Didis, including Ms. Nisha, Ms. Chinta, Ms. Premlata, Ms. Pushpa, and Ms. Bindravati, by presenting them books. He also felicitated students who won competitions organized by NBT and DDU University — among them Ms. Shrija Sharan, Mr. Abhay Verma, Ms. Rashmika Dubey, Mr. Adesh Kunwar Singh, Ms. Divya Vishwakarma, Mr. Shivam Kumar Gupta, Ms. Toshika Chauhan, Ms. Shivangi Pandey, Mr. Nilay Kumar, Mr. Abhishek Singh, Mr. Devanand Gupta, and Mr. Ayush Kishore.
The event was attended by Member of Parliament Mr. Ravi Kishan Shukla, MLAs Mr. Vipin Singh, Mr. Pradeep Shukla, Mr. Shriram Chauhan, Mr. Shravan Nishad, and Mr. Vimlesh Paswan, among other dignitaries.
Promoting Reading, Preserving Culture, Empowering Minds
The Gorakhpur Book Festival 2025 stands as a symbol of Uttar Pradesh’s cultural vibrancy and educational transformation. Through such initiatives, the state government continues to nurture intellectual engagement, promote literary awareness, and inspire a new generation of readers and thinkers.
