Through the ‘Zero Mile Literature Festival’, Intellectual Horizons Will Expand – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Four-Day Festival Inaugurated by the Chief Minister

Nagpur, Nov 2025 : Human beings are blessed with the gift of expressing emotions. For this expression, language, literature, and books serve as mediums. Where expression ends, culture ends. Hence, there is a need to preserve this profound culture, and books play a vital role in safeguarding this cultural heritage. The ‘Zero Mile Literature Festival’, being held under the Nagpur Book Festival, will foster maturity and broaden awareness. A wide range of subjects will be presented in this festival, and through them, intellectual horizons will widen, shaping refined personalities, said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today.

The four-day ‘Zero Mile Literature Festival’, organized by National Book Trust (NBT) India in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra and Zero Mile Youth Foundation under the Nagpur Book Festival 2025, was inaugurated today by Chief Minister Fadnavis. The literature festival is being held at Reshimbagh Ground on November 23–24 and November 29–30.

The inauguration event was attended by Minister of State for School Education Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar; Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University, Wardha, and Vice-President of the Sahitya Akademi Dr. Kumud Sharma; writer and Shiv-Katha author Vijayrao Deshmukh; NBT Chairman Prof. Milind Marathe; NBT Director Yuvraj Malik; Zero Mile Youth Foundation mentor Satyanarayan Nuval; President Ajay Sancheti; Director Samay Bansod, and other dignitaries.

The Chief Minister said that Nagpur is known as a city with a rich cultural heritage. It is a cultural city that has witnessed many events that guided the nation’s direction. The Gond rulers introduced the concept of public libraries, nurturing a culture of knowledge. During the Bhonsale era, Nagpur played a significant role in the expansion of Hindavi Swarajya. The literature of Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj is considered classical. Many literary figures such as Shripad Krishna Kolhatkar, Raja Badhe, Ram Shewalkar, Mahesh Elkunchwar, Suresh Bhat, Grace, V.B. Kolte, G.T. Madkholkar, Maruti Chitampalli, and Parshuram Khune have enriched this culture. Vidarbha is a confluence of languages, with a parallel and rich tradition of Marathi and Hindi literature. The Chief Minister said that the Literature Festival will bring about a major cultural transformation in Nagpur.

He further stated that information remains mere information until it transforms into knowledge. To progress from information to knowledge, and to earn recognition as a knowledgeable individual, there is no alternative to books. There is a need to ensure that books reach the younger generation, he added.

Chief Minister Fadnavis praised the successful organization of the Nagpur Book Festival. NBT is doing excellent work to revive reading culture across the country. He expressed confidence that the Nagpur Book Festival, being a part of this initiative, will reach new heights.

Earlier, the Chief Minister visited various book publishers’ stalls. He also visited the children’s pavilion and interacted with students.

Need to Foster a Reading Culture — Minister of State Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar

Minister of State for School Education Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar said that in today’s times, the need for reading is greater than ever, and this festival has been organized keeping that in mind. With increasing concerns that digital media is posing a threat to reading habits, this book festival holds added significance. There is a need to nurture a reading culture. More than 300 publishers and over 1.5 million books are available at the festival. Students and citizens in the region will benefit greatly from it. He urged citizens to visit the festival. Shiv-Katha author Vijayrao Deshmukh also shared his thoughts on the occasion.

NBT Chairman Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe delivered the introductory remarks. Vedika Mishra conducted the program, and Yuvraj Malik presented the vote of thanks.