Pawan Kalyan Launches 35th Vijayawada Book Festival

Promises to lead library movement in villages and create spaces for literary meetings; underscores necessity of learning Telugu language

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Vijayawada

DEPUTY Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan stated that his journey with books began in Class VII and credited Rabindranath Tagore for inspiring him to prioritize reading over formal education, as Tagore himself never attended school and learned everything at home.

He added that books have been a source of inspiration and courage throughout his life. Inaugurating the 35th Vijayawada Book Festival at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium here on Thursday by lighting a ceremonial lamp at the main Sahitya Vedika (stage), named after Cherukuri Ramoji Rao, he said books have been a source of inspiration and courage throughout his life. On this occasion, he unveiled the book 'PV Narasimha Rao's Literary Life' by A Krishna Rao. He highlighted that his connection with literature was cultivated early by his parents, which significantly influenced and shaped his life. His father instilled a love for reading classics, while his mother encouraged devotional reading, sparking his passion for books.