BY MOHAMMAD TARIQUE SALEEM
Lucknow: In an event that blended literature, public policy, and community participation, the book “Yug Purush Yogi – Ek Vishwas” (Yogi : A Man of the Era, A Symbol of Trust) was formally launched on June 14 at Alambagh Gurdwara in Lucknow. The publication, authored by senior journalist Mohammad Zahid Akhtar, seeks to document the governance journey, leadership philosophy, and developmental initiatives associated with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during the past nine years. The launch ceremony, organized under the aegis of the Kendri Singh Sabha Committee, attracted a diverse audience comprising administrators, social leaders, healthcare professionals, educationists, and members of civil society.
The gathering reflected the growing interest in understanding governance through documented narratives rather than political rhetoric alone. Unveiling the book, senior IAS officer and Chief Minister’s Advisor, Awanish Kumar Awasthi, described the publication as a detailed account of Yogi Adityanath’s administrative approach and public service record. He observed that the author had captured not only the Chief Minister’s policy decisions but also the working style, discipline, and governance mechanisms that have shaped Uttar Pradesh’s recent trajectory.
Awasthi said, the book offers readers an opportunity to examine leadership through the lens of implementation and outcomes rather than slogans and perceptions. He also announced that he would personally present a copy of the book to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The occasion also carried a symbolic environmental message. Participating in the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (A tree in mother’s name) campaign, Awasthi planted a sapling in memory of his mother, Usha Awasthi, and pledged to oversee its care, linking public responsibility with personal commitment.
Community leaders attending the event highlighted the significance of hosting the launch at a Gurdwara. Sardar Nirmal Singh, President of the Kendri Singh Sabha Committee, said the Sikh community regarded the occasion as a matter of pride, noting that the book reflects both the Chief Minister’s engagement with different communities and his broader development agenda for the state.
Echoing similar sentiments, Sardar Kripal Singh Abott, President of Shri Sukhmani Sahib Seva Society, described the publication as an accessible account of welfare-oriented governance. He commended the author for presenting complex policy initiatives in a language that remains understandable to ordinary readers. Renowned Unani physician Dr. S. Ahmad praised the book’s structure and readability, emphasizing its potential value for students, researchers, and citizens interested in public administration.
Speaking at the event, author Mohammad Zahid Akhtar said the book attempts to chronicle the transformation witnessed in Uttar Pradesh through governance reforms, infrastructure development, welfare programmes, and administrative interventions under Yogi Adityanath’s leadership. He expressed hope that the publication would serve as a useful reference for those seeking to understand the evolving governance model of India’s most populous state. More than a ceremonial launch, the event underscored the growing role of books in documenting contemporary political leadership and governance, transforming public discourse into a record that can be examined, debated, and understood by future generations.
