CM Yogi Opens 5th Gomti Book Festival: 'Every Child Must Read Exam Warriors'
Inaugurating the nine-day 5th Gomti Book Festival-2026 on the historic campus of Lucknow University on Saturday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath delivered an inspiring address urging youth and students to reconnect with reading culture and embrace Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s book Exam Warriors. Interacting directly with school children and university scholars after touring the exhibition halls, the Chief Minister personally gifted copies of the motivational publication to young learners. Emphasizing that examinations are not confined to academic degrees or certificate courses but surface continually across personal life, he described Exam Warriors as an indispensable psychological compass that instills resilience whenever personal confidence begins to waver.
Debunking the Reading Myth: Why the Youth Still Love Physical Books
The Chief Minister pushed back against the widespread assumption that modern youth have permanently abandoned physical literature in favor of endless social media consumption. He noted that such generalizations are unfair, pointing out that reader engagement relies fundamentally on whether accessible platforms and diverse titles are made available to aspiring minds. Recounting the inception of regional literature festivals following discussions with National Book Trust Director Yuvraj Malik and former Additional Chief Secretary Awanish Awasthi, he observed that initial trials in Lucknow and a subsequent literary festival in Gorakhpur witnessed historic footfalls and record-breaking book sales, decisively proving that genuine intellectual curiosity thrives whenever suitable platforms are established.
Honoring Sacred Heritage: Uttar Pradesh as the Cradle of Indian Philosophy
Reflecting on India's civilizational knowledge systems, the Chief Minister cautioned that societies and nations suffer stagnation when they sever ties with their intellectual heritage. He celebrated Uttar Pradesh’s historic legacy as a sanctuary of spiritual contemplation and dialogue, referencing Naimisharanya, located just 70 kilometers from Lucknow, where ancient rishis codified contemplative philosophy. Highlighting the spiritual heritage of Kashi and the historic recitation of the Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran at Shukratirth in Muzaffarnagar five millennia ago, he urged students to look past rigid classroom curricula and welcome knowledge from every horizon, tracing how ancient Indian learning evolved through Shruti, Smriti, palm-leaf manuscripts, and timeless epics.
Digital Libraries Across 57,600 Gram Panchayats: Bridging the Urban-Rural Divide
Addressing systemic shifts over the past decade, Yogi Adityanath highlighted how Uttar Pradesh successfully cast off the obsolete "BIMARU" tag to restore self-respect and global identity among its youth. Emphasizing rural empowerment, he detailed how village secretariats have moved beyond administrative huts to incorporate modern conference rooms and digital reading hubs. Through proactive procurement, the state has emerged as the single largest buyer of volumes from the National Book Trust (NBT), establishing libraries across 57,600 gram panchayats statewide. Citing public school overhauls driven by Operation Kayakalp, he illustrated the transformation by sharing how a young Class 3 student in remote Chitrakoot operated a smart digital library with total ease, showing how ground-level infrastructure allows latent rural brilliance to flourish.
Build Personal Book Banks: Expanding Literary Platforms Across Uttar Pradesh
Urging young learners to build personal "book banks" rather than relying strictly on prescribed educational textbooks, the Chief Minister advised prioritizing inspiring autobiographies, scientific breakthroughs, and uplifting literary classics that nurture creative character. He thanked the National Book Trust and partner organizations for organizing the Gomti Book Festival, confirming that the state administration will provide sustained logistical and financial support to take large-scale literary festivals to every administrative division across Uttar Pradesh.
