Lucknow: The Gomti Book festival is being organised with the joint efforts of the National Book Trust and the Lucknow Development Authority, which will run from 9 to 17 November. On this occasion, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appealed to the children to read creative and informative books along with the curriculum.
The Chief Minister said that one should not be limited to curriculum books only, but read good books and learn good things from them. He requested all the children to buy one book each at the fair, so that they can develop the habit of reading books. Expressing concern over the increasing influence of the digital age, the Chief Minister said that today’s youth are spending about 6 hours out of 24 hours on smartphones or other digital devices. If this time is used in some meaningful work, it can be beneficial for both society and youth. He said that we should use technology, not become its slave.
Drawing attention to the ancient knowledge tradition of India, the Chief Minister said that the significance of India’s Shruti tradition is very deep. At holy places like Naimisharanya, sages wrote down knowledge, making it a pilgrimage site. He said that listening, contemplating and putting it into practice has been a tradition in our country. Today we have to revive this tradition again.
Yogi Adityanath said that Uttar Pradesh is fortunate to have great poets like Maharishi Valmiki and Tulsidas. Referring to the epic ‘Ramcharit Manas’, he said that it is sung in every household. Giving the example of Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta, he said that the best work of knowledge was composed even on the battlefield. We should be proud of this great tradition of ours and cherish it. The Chief Minister appreciated this initiative of the National Book Trust and suggested that such book fairs should be organized in all 18 divisions of Uttar Pradesh. He said that such fairs will benefit all sections of the society and people’s interest in books will increase.
The Chief Minister said that today we should focus on the study of books by reducing the time spent on digital devices. He said that books expand our thinking and make us aware of society. We have to inspire our new generation in this direction.
Writers, intellectuals of the society and book lovers were present in this third edition of Gomti Book Festival. The Chief Minister himself visited the book stalls in the fair and observed the books and congratulated the organizers for this innovative effort.
