Experience, Ideas and Dialogue: Special interaction with Parthasarathi Sen Sharma
Lucknow: The second day of the Gomti Book Festival 2026 on Sunday witnessed a diverse range of programmes centred on literature, creativity, history, ideas and music. More than 1,200 students from various schools across Lucknow enthusiastically participated in storytelling, art and creative activities. A discussion on literary heritage, a special interaction with senior IAS officer and author Parthasarathi Sen Sharma, the ‘Veergatha Diary’ presentation and a musical performance by the ‘Delhi Metro’ band were among the key highlights of the day.
More than 1,200 children showcase their creative talent
The day began with special storytelling, art and creative activities for children. Storyteller Priyanka Sagar connected the children with the world of imagination and stories through props, puppets and songs. This was followed by a drawing competition organised by Team NCCL, a ‘Clay Art Workshop’ by clay artist Sugriva Vishwakarma, and the ‘Art of Creating Book Covers’ activity by the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya (ReP). Students participated enthusiastically in all these activities.
The Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya team also introduced the students to its digital library, which offers more than 7,000 free e-books. These activities gave children an opportunity to develop their imagination and creative expression along with their reading skills.
Yashpal, Amritlal Nagar and Bhagwati Charan Verma remembered in Literary Sessions
The session ‘Sahityik Dharoharon Ke Waris’ featured an engaging discussion on the literary and family legacy of three important Hindi writers—Yashpal, Amritlal Nagar and Bhagwati Charan Verma. The session was coordinated by Delhi-based writer Dr Sunita.
Meena Yashpal, daughter-in-law of Yashpal; Richa Nagar, granddaughter of Amritlal Nagar; and Chandrashekhar Verma, grandson of Bhagwati Charan Verma, shared personal experiences and memories of their families.
Recalling Amritlal Nagar’s affection for children and his remarkable storytelling skills, Richa Nagar said, “The relationships we inherit remain with us throughout our lives.” She also spoke about how Nagar’s literary legacy is reflected in his writings, which bring together diverse elements such as history, folk traditions and cinema.
Chandrashekhar Verma, speaking about the legacy of Bhagwati Charan Verma, said, “As far as legacy is concerned, his literature itself is our legacy.”
The session highlighted that literary legacy is not limited to books and writings. It also continues through ideas, values, memories and life lessons, passing from one generation to another.
Experience, Ideas and Dialogue: Special interaction with Parthasarathi Sen Sharma
In the next session, author and senior IAS officer Parthasarathi Sen Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary, Basic and Secondary Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh, participated in a special interaction. The session was coordinated by Chandrashekhar Verma. He shared the background of his works, his experiences as a writer, his views on literature and various experiences from his life with the audience.
Speaking about Lucknow, Mr Sen Sharma said that “Lucknow carries several centuries within itself.” He said that Lucknow twenty years ago, its lifestyle and social environment, were quite different from the city today. He also expressed his desire to write a historical novel centred on Lucknow. He said that the proposed work would cover the period from 1916 to 2026.
Speaking about his book ‘Love in Lucknow’, he said that he wrote the book keeping today’s children and young people in mind. He said that many young people, after facing failure or betrayal in relationships, take extreme steps such as suicide. In such situations, literature can play an important role in helping young people cope emotionally, understand their circumstances and develop a positive outlook towards life.
He also discussed his book ‘Andaman-Andamanush Safar Ka Upanyasnama’ and shared several interesting experiences and anecdotes related to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Speaking about the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Mr Sen Sharma said that AI does not always present our thoughts and emotions in the same way that we intend to express them. He stressed that we need to develop and enrich our own languages in order to understand our literature and society properly. Preserving the originality of language and literary sensitivity is an important need of the present times.
The meaningful questions by coordinator Chandrashekhar Verma gave the conversation an engaging and thoughtful direction. The interaction, bringing together experience, literature, ideas and contemporary issues, gave the audience an opportunity to understand Parthasarathi Sen Sharma’s creative and sensitive side along with his administrative personality.
The session underlined that literature is not merely a means of expression, but also an effective way to understand society and the younger generation and to develop a positive outlook towards life.
History’s heroic stories come alive through ‘Veergatha Diary’
Poet and lyricist Dr Krishna Kumar Singh presented ‘Veergatha Diary’, paying poetic tribute to revolutionaries of the freedom movement and great figures of Indian history. The valour of Prithviraj Chauhan and Maharana Pratap was presented through prose and poetry, while the story of Chandrashekhar Azad was presented through verse. This unique presentation was particularly appreciated by the audience.
Along with lines dedicated to Sardar Bhagat Singh, the contributions of the heroes of the 1857 Revolution—Mangal Pandey, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Nana Sahib, Rani Lakshmibai and Veer Kunwar Singh—were also remembered. The presentation also highlighted the role of Awadh in the 1857 uprising.
Dr Singh presented the song ‘Kavi Sammelanon Ke Manchon Par Jai-Jaikari Hindi Hai’, emphasising the promotion and wider reach of Hindi. The presentation received an enthusiastic response from the audience and was appreciated with applause.
Band ‘Delhi Metro’ adds musical charm to the evening with classic songs
The five-member live band ‘Delhi Metro’ presented popular Hindi and English classic songs in a contemporary live-band style as part of the cultural programme. With fresh arrangements, powerful instrumentation and an energetic stage performance, the band gave familiar classics a new musical experience.
The audience enthusiastically enjoyed this blend of nostalgia and contemporary music and appreciated the performers for their engaging presentation
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