Gorakhpur: The sixth day of the Gorakhpur Book Festival 2025, held at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University, witnessed a unique mix of storytelling and creativity in the Children’s Pavilion with more than 1,500 students from 30 schools in Gorakhpur. The day began with “Kamishibai Kahani Kahe” by Ranjeeta Sachdeva, where young listeners journeyed to Japan through a folktale presented in the “Paper Theatre” style of storytelling.
This was followed by a “Calligraphy Workshop” organized by Deepika Kamalia, where students learned the art of lettering. The subsequent session featured a “Clay Modelling Workshop” led by Rupesh Kumar, where children gave shape to clay using their imagination.
Anganwadi Workers Learn Teaching Techniques
Oxford University Press India organized an interactive teacher training workshop on learning through stories and activities for Anganwadi Didis at the Gorakhpur Book Fair 2025 in collaboration with the National Book Trust India (NBT). The workshop was conducted by Sonia Reila, a renowned educator, author and expert in activity-based learning at the early and primary levels. The workshop aimed to enhance the capacity of teachers (Anganwadi Didis) so they could create an inspiring and joyful learning environment for young learners, in line with the vision presented in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Through a combination of stories, music and activities, she explained how teachers can foster cognitive abilities, positive attitudes and encouragement towards formal education in young children. During her demonstration, she emphasized that stories and classroom activities can help make early education a multi-sensory, inclusive and emotionally rich experience.
This workshop was part of Oxford University Press’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program in collaboration with the National Book Trust (NBT). The collaboration has established libraries in 100 Anganwadi centres in Uttar Pradesh, including libraries in Lucknow and Gorakhpur districts. These libraries have been enriched with book racks and approximately 350 illustrated books.
The goal of this initiative is to develop an interest in reading among children and to make learning in their early years an engaging and daily experience. This initiative is part of the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and reflects Oxford University Press’s global mission to provide quality education and learning opportunities to underserved communities worldwide.
Mr. Yuvraj Malik, Director of the National Book Trust, India, stated, “Our continuous collaboration with Oxford University Press India aims to strengthen early literacy and foundational learning through initiatives like libraries and workshops. Our joint efforts reflect a shared commitment to fostering a vibrant reading culture across the country. This capacity development workshop organized for Anganwadi workers is a significant step towards promoting curiosity, creativity, and cognitive development in young learners, aligning with the spirit of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.”
During the workshop, Ms. Sonia Reilia said, “Early education is the foundation of any child’s academic journey. Through such workshops, our goal is to provide Anganwadi Didis with practical tools and creative methods that can make early literacy enjoyable, interactive, and meaningful. It is reassuring that these educators are actively participating, adopting new activities, and creating dynamic learning centres that spark curiosity, reinforce understanding, and build confidence in children.”
Sukanta Das, Managing Director of Oxford University Press India, remarked, “Our objective at Oxford University Press India is to strengthen foundational education for early learners by empowering teachers with the necessary skills, tools, and strategies. Through collaborations with the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the National Book Trust, and initiatives like library establishment and workshops, we are working to ensure that every child has access to quality early education that proves to be transformative in their lives.”
The cultural evening began with the presentation of ‘Kafan’ by Premchand. This was a theatrical performance by Rangashram, Gorakhpur. Directed by K.C. Sen, Dr. Pradeep Kumar Sahni, Sandeep Sharma, Amit Singh Patel, Ajay Yadav, Satish Verma, Chandan Kumar, Vishal Mishra, Mukesh Nishad and others played various roles.
Following this, devotional melodies resonated on the stage. In a melodious evening of music and devotion, Shri Sujit Kumar Ojha from Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University presented a vocal performance of the ‘Sagun and Nirgun Bhakti Dhara’. The next performance was by Sufi singer Vanshika Joshi from Delhi. Her soulful voice was accompanied by Labhansh, Hardik, Tanishk, and Shashank.
The Gorakhpur Book Festival 2025, jointly organized by the National Book Trust (NBT) and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University (DDU), is a nine-day literary celebration bringing together publishers, educators, authors, and students from across the country. With over 200 stalls and a diverse range of books and creative sessions, the festival aims to encourage reading as an enjoyable and lifelong habit, a goal deeply connected with OUP’s educational philosophy.
