Women’s Issues and Startup Opportunities Take Centre Stage at 23rd National Book Fair

Lucknow: Women’s challenges, social inequalities and emerging entrepreneurial opportunities took centre stage on the eighth day of the 23rd National Book Fair at Balrampur Garden on Ashok Marg, Lucknow. The fair, which continues until October 11, attracted a large number of book lovers, with many visitors exploring literature on gender, patriarchy and women’s identity.

Among the prominent titles drawing attention was Laura Bates’ The New Age of Sexism, which examines the challenges women face in the age of artificial intelligence and digital technology. Neelima Pandey’s Stree: Mithak Aur Yatharth explores the second-class status often assigned to women and how myths, religious interpretations and misconceptions have been used to reinforce gender hierarchies. Her other works, including Silenced Voices and Itihas Mein Stree Asmita Ki Talaash, also attracted interest.

Other notable titles included Dr Sunita’s Rajneeti Mein Phansi Stree, Sujata’s Pitrisatta, Yaunikta Aur Samlaingikta and Anju Dua Jaimini’s Morche Par Stree, which has been released in paperback for the first time. Samayik Prakashan featured Seema Dixit’s Nayi Swadhinta Ke Naye Aayam and Shashi Kala Rai’s Ispat Mein Dhalti Stree, both reprinted after 18 years. Ramakant Upadhyay’s Sitayanam offered a narrative expansion of the events following Sita’s abduction. Rajkamal Prakashan showcased works by Mrinal Pande, including books examining the politics of the female body and the role of women in shaping politics. Gender-focused literature was also available at Prabhat, Vani, Jnanpith, Setu, Dinkar Pustakalaya, Navpallav, Sasta Sahitya Mandal and Lokbharati stalls.

Startup pitch fest offers funding opportunities

The main stage hosted ‘LaunchUp Pitch Fest 2.0’, organised by Vision Startups Accelerator in association with UP Super. The event gave emerging entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their business ideas and models before a panel featuring representatives from investment organisations, including ASR Ventures and Unicorn.

Selected participants had the opportunity to be shortlisted for funding of up to ₹5 lakh, apart from competing for awards. Vision Startups CEO Sudhanshu Rastogi said 28 founders participated, of whom eight presented their business ideas.

Tarun Kumar emerged as the winner, while Ankit Shankar and Imtiyaz Hussain were the runners-up.

Books, literary discussions and cultural programmes

Earlier, Atharva India International Research Institute and Lucknow Literary Club jointly organised the release of three books by Dr Karuna Pandey: Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Shraddhanand and Samvedana Se Vedana. Professor Surya Prakash Dixit discussed Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s contributions as a social reformer, citing several examples. Padma Shri Vidyabindu Singh, in her presidential address, emphasised the importance of such literature for the younger generation. Dr Sudhakar Adeeb and Alka Pramod offered critical observations on the books.

The day’s literary programme also featured book launches and a poetry gathering organised by Kavita Lok and Navyabharati. In the evening, Vartaman Ankur hosted a poets’ meet, while readers discussed Gaurav Nigam’s book Scandal in Lucknow.

At the second Creator Lounge, the Uttar Pradesh Sahitya Sabha organised an informal gathering of traditional folk songs, including Banna-Banni and Saiyan Mile Larkaiyan. Rashmi Singh, Anju Agarwal, Vineeta Tripathi, Rashmi Srivastava, Roli Saxena, Shweta Srivastava and Rajiv Vatsal performed at the session. A later discussion explored the experiences and challenges faced by men.

The book fair remains open daily from 11 am to 9 pm, with free entry and a minimum discount of 10 per cent on every book purchased. The event concludes on October 11.