Gorakhpur: The fifth day of the Gorakhpur Book Festival at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University was a vibrant celebration of stories, creativity, and learning. The Bal Mandap came alive with enthusiasm as around 500 students from 14 schools participated in a series of interactive and skill-based sessions designed to spark imagination and awareness among young minds.
The day began with “Kahani Ke Pankhon Par” (On the Wings of Stories) — an engaging storytelling session led by Ranjita Sachdeva. Through the enchanting tale of a princess and “Jack the Fool,” children were transported into a magical world of imagination while learning valuable life lessons on wit, intelligence, and problem-solving.
The next session, “From Waste to Wow,” was conducted by Shubham Mishra from Bisleri, focusing on plastic waste management and recycling awareness. Students actively participated in discussions about sustainable practices and the importance of environmental responsibility.
Later, an award ceremony was held to honor the winners of the Book Cover Design Workshop, which took place on November 2. The 15 best entries were felicitated by National Book Trust (NBT) India with certificates and books, recognizing their creative excellence.
The day’s activities concluded with a mesmerizing folk dance performance by students from seven schools, who showcased traditional dances from different Indian states. The performances brought together the colors and rhythms of North and South India on a single stage, celebrating the nation’s cultural unity.
As evening descended, the cultural segment of the festival commenced with the play “Baap Bada Na Bhaiyya, Sabse Bada Rupaiya,” presented by Sanskritik Sangam. Written by Vijay Kumar and directed by Manavendra Tripathi, the satirical yet emotional drama captivated audiences, prompting reflection on society’s obsession with wealth.
The day concluded with a poetry recital (Kavi Sammelan) featuring renowned poets Shambhu Shikhar, Padmini Ji, Rajesh Agrawal, Kamal Agniya Ji, and Ashish Kaviguru. Their verses — rich in humor, satire, and social commentary — resonated deeply with the audience, adding a thoughtful and creative finale to an inspiring day at the festival.
