A Children's Corner Blooms at Balrampur Garden's National Book Fair

Lucknow: Somewhere between the rows of stalls at the 23rd National Book Fair, a small crowd of young readers has gathered around brightly coloured covers, comics and puzzle books. At Balrampur Garden, the children's sections are proving to be among the liveliest corners of the fair, with Hindi and English titles built around illustrations, activities and stories.

Comics, classics and Rs 15 Premchand

The Vedic Sahitya Kendra has brought comic-style books on Sardar Bhagat Singh, Swami Shraddhanand and Dayanand Saraswati, along with his revolutionary disciples. It is also offering titles such as Why Believe in God? Rekhta's stall has Bachchon Ki Nazmein, while the Hindi Sansthan is selling children's editions of Premchand's stories, including Mantra, Gilli-Danda, Panch Parmeshwar and Atmaram, for just Rs 15 each.

The Publications Division has brought Bal Bharati and other children's literature, and Gita Press is showcasing motivational and traditional tales for young readers. Sahitya Sarovar, Rashika Enterprises, Padma Book and Paradise Book all run children's and activity sections, and Sasta Sahitya Mandal, Prabhat and Nikhil Prakashan have set aside dedicated spaces too. Colouring books, puzzles and handwriting-practice books are especially popular.

A coffee-table book on the wild

The day's major moment came with the launch of the coffee-table book Whisper of the Wild by Brajesh Kumar Mishra. It was released by former DGP and MP Brij Lal, former IAS officers Ramkeval and Sanjay Kumar, former IFS officer R.S. Bhadauria and senior photographer Anil Risal Singh. Fair coordinator Manoj Singh Chandel, Dr Rajat Dhesi, Yogesh Bhatia and Rahul Mishra were present.

Brij Lal spoke about the importance of wildlife conservation, drawing on his experiences in Pilibhit and Kaziranga. Mishra said the book is not only about forests but also a record of his own journeys. Anil Risal Singh stressed the need to preserve the environment.

Bhadauria recalled the challenges of wildlife management and shared anecdotes about the founding of Kanpur Zoo. He noted that in the 1960s, hunters could legally kill 60 to 70 tigers a year under permits, and that wildlife was also widely traded. Ramkeval spoke of his time in the forests, while Sarvesh Asthana described wildlife photography as a demanding pursuit that calls for patience and sustained effort.

Poetry, prose and open mic

Literary programmes ran through the day. Apurva Sanstha held a poetry and felicitation ceremony dedicated to Imroz and Majaz, along with the release of Ranjha Mera. Padma Shri Vidyavindu Singh, Ashima Singh, Kathak exponent Surabhi Singh and coordinator Sanjay Mehrotra Hamnavan felicitated Ashish Singh, Aradhana Sikarwar, Kumar Vikas and Mamta.

The Media Foundation released Dr Sultan Shakir Hashmi's Indian Constitution and Dr B.R. Ambedkar. Attendees included Justice Qamar Hussain Rizvi, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali, former IAS officer Chandrapal, senior journalist Hemant Tiwari, Arvind Singh Bisht and other scholars. Dr Ammar Rizvi also visited the fair.

On the second stage, Nidhi Bajpai led an open-mic session. In the evening, playwright Rakesh Veda chaired a programme where Rakesh Kabir's poetry collections Nadiyan Hi Raah Batayengi and Kunwarvarti Kaise Bahe were released, with Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali and other literary figures in attendance.

Visiting the fair

Organised by Force One, the fair is open to all, free of charge, from 11 am to 9 pm every day. Every book bought at the fair carries a minimum discount of 10 per cent.

The fair is supported by UP Metro, Radio City, Origins, Kiran Foundation, Join Hands Foundation, Lokangan, Vishwam Foundation, Vijay Studio, Golden Grass and Kavita Kisse Kahaniyan.