Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has highlighted the continuing importance of books and reading among youth, saying the digital age has not ended the younger generation’s interest in books.
Speaking in Lucknow, Adityanath said there was a need to make books more accessible to readers across the country. He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and referred to efforts by the Ministry of Education to promote book festivals that connect India’s ancient knowledge traditions with modern learning.
Books remain relevant despite digital growth
The Chief Minister acknowledged the growing amount of time young people spend on social media and other digital platforms. However, he said this should not lead to the assumption that young people have lost interest in reading.
According to Adityanath, the continued interest of young readers in books demonstrates that traditional reading remains relevant even as smartphones, social media and other digital technologies become increasingly prominent in everyday life.
His remarks come at a time when access to information has changed significantly. Young people can now read news, educational material, literature and other content through mobile phones and computers. Yet, the availability of digital content has not necessarily replaced the appeal of physical books.
The focus, therefore, is increasingly shifting towards ensuring that young people have convenient access to quality reading material.
Need to take books closer to readers
Adityanath stressed that efforts should be made to ensure books reach readers across the country. Better accessibility, he suggested, can help encourage reading and ensure that young people can engage with knowledge beyond the content they encounter on digital platforms.
Book festivals can play an important role in this effort by bringing readers, writers, publishers and educational institutions together. Such events can also introduce younger audiences to literature and knowledge that may otherwise remain outside their immediate reach.
The emphasis on accessibility is particularly significant in a country as diverse as India, where opportunities to access libraries, bookshops and cultural events can vary considerably between urban and rural communities.
Connecting traditional knowledge with modern learning
The Chief Minister also referred to the Ministry of Education’s efforts to promote book festivals as a way of connecting India’s ancient knowledge traditions with contemporary learning.
India has a long literary and intellectual heritage spanning philosophy, science, history, spirituality, literature and the arts. Making such knowledge available to younger generations can help create a stronger connection between cultural heritage and modern education.
At the same time, contemporary books covering science, technology, careers, social issues and new ideas remain important for preparing young people for a rapidly changing world.
The challenge is therefore not simply to encourage reading, but to create an environment where young people can discover a wide range of books and develop reading habits alongside their use of digital technology.
Balancing screens and reading
The rise of smartphones and social media has created new opportunities for learning, but it has also raised concerns about how young people spend their time online.
Recent education-related findings have highlighted this wider challenge. The Economic Survey 2025–26, citing ASER 2024, reported that 89.1 per cent of rural youth aged 14–16 had smartphone access at home. At the same time, it noted that digital use among young people includes substantial engagement with social media.
This makes the encouragement of reading particularly relevant. Digital technology and books do not necessarily have to compete with each other. Digital tools can provide access to e-books, educational resources and online libraries, while physical books can continue to offer a focused reading experience.
The larger objective is to help young people use both forms of knowledge effectively.
Reading as a pathway to wider knowledge
Adityanath’s remarks underline the continuing role of books in education and personal development. Reading can expose young people to different perspectives, ideas and experiences while strengthening language and comprehension skills.
For schools, libraries and families, encouraging children and young adults to read can therefore remain an important educational priority even in an increasingly digital environment.
The message from the Chief Minister is also a reminder that the question is not whether young people still read, but whether they have sufficient opportunities and access to the books they want to read.
As technology continues to reshape how information is consumed, making books widely available could help ensure that the culture of reading remains a meaningful part of India’s educational and social landscape.