Lucknow – A pleasant evening at Balrampur Garden, Ashok Marg, drew large crowds of book lovers as the 22nd National Book Fair entered its concluding phase. Students from schools and colleges thronged the venue alongside avid readers, searching for new literary works, academic guides, and inspirational writings. Popular among visitors were fresh releases such as Ekdant by Ramakant and the new edition of Amit Tiwari’s Maya Mari Na Man Mara. At the Gayatri Gyan Mandir stall, hundreds of titles by Acharya Shri Ram Sharma attracted attention.
A highlight of the day was the release of timeless works Srishti aur Pralay and the first volume of collected writings by former legislator and parliamentarian Maharaj Singh Bharti. Edited by senior writer Bhagwan Swaroop Katiyar and published by Samyak Prakashan, the books were launched in a session moderated by Suhail Wahid. Eminent voices such as Vijay Rai, Rakesh Veda, Shakeel Siddiqui, Ashok Chandra, and Katiyar described Bharti’s writings as both powerful and relevant.
In the morning, poetry sessions set a vibrant tone. Under the banner of Anagat Sahitya Sansthan, the books of Dr. Ajay Prasoon and “Beadab Lakhnavi” were released. Earlier, in a program organized by Navodaya Sahitik and Rama Sahitik Sanstha, chaired by Dr. Shivmangal Singh Mangal and conducted by Gopal Thahaka, a galaxy of poets including Sarwar Lakhnavi, Arvind Jha, Sandeep Anuragi, Kamlesh Mridu Maurya, Sheela Verma Meera, Pooja Srivastava, Bharti Payal, and Jyoti Ratan recited their works to great applause.
Medical knowledge also found its place in the fair. Authors Dr. Sandeep Kumar and Ajay Agarwal discussed their books 51 Health Tips and Half Doctor, sharing preventive measures and treatment insights in the presence of medical experts including Dr. Abhishek Shukla, Dr. Anil Kumar Shukla, Dr. A.P. Maheshwari, Dr. Mridul Malhotra, and writer Vinita Mishra.
Equally engaging was a panel on Dalit Women’s Writing and Contemporary Realities, with Anita Bharti, Dr. Shailendra, Dr. Priyanka Sonkar, Prof. Supriya Pathak, and Ravindra Bhartiya offering perspectives on socio-political challenges.
The evening also hosted a thought-provoking seminar by Vasundhara Foundation, chaired by Padma Shri Dr. Vidyavindu Singh, on Gandhi, Bose, Bhagat, Vivekananda – Our Pathfinders. Senior journalist Anandvardhan Singh, banker Sanjay Sareen, writer Akhilesh Srivastava Chaman, satirist Pankaj Prasoon, and other dignitaries shared their views.
The day concluded with a lyrical note through a poetry gathering by Abhushan Kavyatmak Abhivyakti Patal, leaving audiences inspired by words, wisdom, and cultural vibrancy.
