Digital libraries established in 57,600 gram panchayats: UP CM Yogi

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said every child should read and imbibe the lessons of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s book ‘Exam Warriors’. He said it would be unjust to say that the youth do not read books and that arrangements were needed to take books to them. He said the adverse consequences of confining knowledge to a narrow sphere must be borne by society and the nation. He said that 10 years ago Uttar Pradesh had been placed in the BIMARU category, its youth faced an identity crisis, and citizens avoided disclosing their identity, but the state’s picture has changed.He addressed the youth after inaugurating the 5th Gomti Book Festival-2026 at Lucknow University on Saturday, September 12, 2026. He visited the exhibition set up on the university campus and distributed copies of ‘Exam Warriors’ to children present. He said the book is useful not only for school students but for every youth and citizen, and can be a source of strength and guidance during difficult times. He also posed for photographs with girl students.He said it is not entirely correct to say that the youth have moved away from books or waste time on social media. He said when Yuvraj Malik first proposed organizing a book festival in Lucknow, he discussed it with the then Additional Chief Secretary Avanish Awasthi and encouraged it. He said the festival produced good results, after which he suggested organizing one in Gorakhpur, where more people reached and more books were sold.He said society and the nation become sick when their capacity diminishes and they distance themselves from their heritage. He said attempts were earlier made to confine India’s ancient knowledge tradition, and the country bore the consequences. He said Uttar Pradesh has been an important center of the Indian knowledge tradition, citing Naimisharanya, Kashi and Shukrteerth in Muzaffarnagar.He said knowledge should not be limited and that merely studying the curriculum does not make a person completely knowledgeable. He said India’s knowledge tradition progressed through scriptures, manuscripts, copper plates and records. He said Lucknow is an old land of literature.He said the digital era has reduced the distance between villages and cities. Citing gram secretariats, he said conference rooms and digital libraries were created for villagers. He said libraries have been established in 57,600 gram panchayats across the state and the National Book Trust has made its books available there. He said earlier governments did not provide a platform to youth and rural people.He said, India’s knowledge tradition progressed beyond Shruti and Smriti through scriptures, manuscripts, copper plates and various records, passing from generation to generation. Lucknow is an old land of literature, and many litterateurs from here have guided the country and society through their timeless works.Referring to schools under the Basic and Secondary Education Council, he said their buildings and arrangements appeared dilapidated, and through Operation Kayakalp the face of schools was changed, with buildings constructed and smart class facilities provided. Citing Chitrakoot, he said a Class 3 girl student demonstrated how to operate a digital library and displayed curriculum-related material after facilities were provided.He appealed to the youth to develop the habit of buying and reading books according to their needs and to prioritize books that develop creativity and positive thinking along with curriculum books. He appealed to them to build their own ‘book bank’ and said book fairs can be an important platform.He expressed gratitude to the organizers, the National Book Trust and supporting institutions, and said the book fair should not be limited to Lucknow but should be taken to other places in the state. He said the Uttar Pradesh government will fully cooperate and is the biggest buyer of books of the National Book Trust.He appealed to the youth to develop the habit of buying and reading books according to their needs and to prioritize books that develop creativity and positive thinking along with curriculum books. He appealed to them to build their own ‘book bank’ and said book fairs can be an important platform.He expressed gratitude to the organizers, the National Book Trust and supporting institutions, and said the book fair should not be limited to Lucknow but should be taken to other places in the state. He said the Uttar Pradesh government will fully cooperate and is the biggest buyer of books of the National Book Trust. Published - September 15, 2026 09:46 am IST