Lucknow: The fifth day of the Gomti Book Festival witnessed a vibrant mix of literature, storytelling, theatre, science, poetry and creative activities at the Sports Ground of the University of Lucknow. Organised by the National Book Trust, India, the fifth edition of the festival is being held from September 12 to 20, 2026.
Around 1,100 students participated in various creative activities at the Children’s Corner, while noted author and IAS officer Dr Hari Om interacted with readers during the ‘Meet the Author’ session and shared insights into his literary journey and writing experiences.
The day began with a Dastangoi session at the Children’s Corner, where storytellers Aastha and Tasneem narrated two engaging stories conveying messages of honesty, friendship and hard work.
This was followed by a session on ‘Theatre: Imagination and Acting’, conducted by Ranjita and Rahul. Children were introduced to the fundamentals of acting, voice modulation, expressions and body language through interactive exercises and performances.
A science session followed, using experiments and hands-on activities to explain scientific concepts and encourage scientific thinking among children in a simple and engaging manner.
The Children’s Corner programme concluded with a session on the National e-Library and poetry recitation. Students presented poems by poets including Nagarjun, Kabir and Rabindranath Tagore. Participants received books from NBT, gifts from the National e-Library and certificates of excellence.
Dr Hari Om Shares Literary Experiences
The ‘Meet the Author’ session was held from 2:30 pm to 3:15 pm on the theme ‘A Dialogue on Creation, Literature and Sensitivity’. Dr Hari Om, a noted author and IAS officer, interacted with readers and literature enthusiasts about his writing, literary experiences and creative journey. The session was coordinated by Dr Lalit Kishore Mandora, Hindi Editor, National Book Trust, India.
Dr Hari Om said finding time for literature while serving in the administration can be challenging, but his engagement with society and people has continuously provided experiences and subjects for his writing. He said his literary works often reflect experiences drawn from his life and society.
Discussing the creative process, he said every writer has a different approach. Stories often begin with ideas and characters, while poetry is closely associated with experience and emotion. He described ghazal writing as particularly challenging and referred to the enduring popularity of poets such as Kabir, Tulsidas and Ghalib, whose works continue to remain part of popular memory.
Speaking about his literary journey, Dr Hari Om said several of his books have been published and three of them have also been translated. He expressed his desire to continue writing across genres including stories, novels and storytelling.
Dr Hari Om also spoke about his love for music and presented several songs in his melodious voice, receiving appreciation from the audience.
He said both literature and administration require a close connection with society. His administrative experiences, interactions with people, understanding of social issues and engagement with the younger generation, he said, have contributed to his literary perspective. He also described music as an integral part of his life and said his experiences of what he has seen and heard have enriched his writing.
The ‘Meet the Author’ session provided readers and literature enthusiasts an opportunity to gain a closer understanding of Dr Hari Om’s ideas, experiences and creative process.
