New Delhi | Special Correspondent: Arun Sharma

Books centred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi are drawing marked attention from young readers, as students from across Delhi and neighbouring regions turn out in large numbers at the ongoing NAMO Book Festival. The two-day literary fair has emerged as a major youth-focused event, reflecting growing curiosity among students about leadership, governance and nation-building.


Despite the winter chill, students lined up outside the Ambedkar International Centre from early morning, eager to explore the exhibition. Inside, rows of book stalls, animated discussions and packed auditoriums set the tone for a vibrant intellectual gathering. The festival brings together books, ideas and young voices under one roof.


The event was inaugurated by Union Minister Jitendra Singh. More than 450 books related to the Prime Minister are on display across 10 categories, offering insights into policy, vision, leadership and personal journey. Over 800 students from more than 30 colleges and 200 schools participated in the launch, underscoring the strong youth connect.


A key highlight of Day One was the launch of the Gen V Festival, a concept aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat. Introduced through a short film, Gen V positions young Indians as active contributors to nation-building, focusing on long-term development rather than short-term gains.


The festival is being organised by the Council for Media and Public Policy Research (CMPPR) in collaboration with Niswarth Kadam and the Delhi Tourism Corporation, and features participation from over 30 authors and thinkers.


Students actively engaged with authors and speakers during interactive sessions. Hansika, a student from Rajdhani College who performed at the event, said the response from the audience was encouraging and added that she was keen to explore the book stalls. Amit, a student from Ghaziabad, described the discussions as “highly informative”.


Explaining the idea behind the Gen V narrative, Ashok Srivastava, Director, CMPPR, said that India’s younger generation is preparing, learning and contributing towards a developed India by 2047. CMPPR founder-director Ritu Gupta noted that Gen V reflects how young people think about the future, rather than being a mere slogan.


Sessions on scientific temperament, research-led growth, skills and employability, and India’s path to Net Zero by 2070 further enriched the programme. Speakers emphasised the importance of institutional discipline and intellectual engagement.


Overall, the NAMO Book Festival has highlighted the strong interest of India’s youth in books based on the Prime Minister, reaffirming that literature, ideas and public discourse continue to resonate deeply with the younger generation.