Gomti Book Festival: Yogi Adityanath Pushes Digital Libraries In 57,600 Gram Panchayats

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said digital libraries have been established in 57,600 gram panchayats across the State, describing the initiative as part of efforts to expand access to books, educational material and knowledge resources in rural areas. He made the statement while inaugurating the fifth edition of the Gomti Book Festival-2026 in Lucknow, where he spoke about the importance of reading and the need to ensure that books reach young people across the State.

Mr. Adityanath urged the youth to build their own book banks and develop a sustained habit of reading. He said every child should read Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s book ‘Exam Warriors’ and imbibe the lessons contained in it. The Chief Minister said books could play an important role in shaping the outlook, confidence and aspirations of young people, particularly at a time when students and job seekers face intense academic and professional competition.

Addressing the perception that young people are no longer interested in books, Mr. Adityanath said it would be unjust to claim that the youth had stopped reading. Instead, he argued that the focus should be on creating arrangements that take books closer to readers and make them easily available. He emphasised that a lack of access, rather than a lack of interest, could prevent many people from developing regular reading habits.

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The Chief Minister also spoke about the wider consequences of restricting knowledge to a limited section of society. He said confining educational and intellectual resources to a narrow sphere could have adverse consequences for both society and the nation. In this context, he highlighted the importance of libraries, digital learning facilities and community-level access to books as tools for broadening educational opportunities and encouraging informed citizens.

Reflecting on Uttar Pradesh’s changing image, Mr. Adityanath said the State had been placed in the BIMARU category around a decade ago and that its youth had faced an identity crisis during that period. He said people had once been reluctant to disclose their identity as residents of Uttar Pradesh, but claimed that the situation had changed and that the State’s image had improved. His remarks linked the expansion of educational infrastructure with the broader development and confidence of the State’s younger population.

The inauguration of the Gomti Book Festival-2026 highlighted the government’s emphasis on reading, access to knowledge and the development of educational resources. The establishment of digital libraries across thousands of gram panchayats, along with the Chief Minister’s call for personal book banks, reflects an effort to encourage reading beyond schools and colleges. Mr. Adityanath’s message centred on making books more accessible, strengthening learning habits and ensuring that knowledge reaches a wider section of Uttar Pradesh’s population.

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