Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], November 9 (HBTV): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the third edition of National Book Trust (NBT) India's Anushthan Gomti Book Festival 2024 in Lucknow on Saturday.

The Gomti Book Festival is being held at Lucknow's River Front Park from November 9 to 17.

Yogi Adityanath said, "The Prime Minister said one thing: 'when citizens read, the country leads.' Uttar Pradesh is very fortunate that Maharishi Valmiki was born in this land and gave the world its first epic, the Ramayana. Over time, people felt that they should learn practical knowledge beyond Sanskrit. It is said that when Tulsidas Ji began writing the Ramayana in Sanskrit, the more he wrote, the more it disappeared. Later, it is believed that Bajrangbali appeared to him and advised him to write it in the local language. He then composed the Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi. Today, the Ramcharitmanas is sung in every household in Awadhi."

He further noted the challenges of the digital age.

"Earlier, human beings used technology; now, technology has started using us. If you look at the average working hours of a young person, six hours are spent on a smartphone. If this time were used for constructive purposes, it could benefit society. There is a decline in recognizing and reading works by good writers. We need to encourage these writers and engage readers," CM Yogi said.

He emphasized that children should be encouraged to read creative writing to improve their creativity.

"We have a tradition of listening, analyzing, and incorporating the good. We should use technology but not become dependent on it," he added.   

(ANI)