Team L&M
Graphic novel Ajay to Yogi Adityanath (published by Itihas Academy) by Shantanu Gupta was released in Chennai recently amid more than 800 children from various schools at the Chinmaya Heritage Center. The cover of the upcoming Tamil translation was also launched during the event.
Others present included RSS stalwart and Tuglak editor S Gurumurthy, BJP spokesperson Shehzaad Poonawala and Spiritual leader Swami Mitrananda.
Besides the life of Yogi Adityanath, the book also carries many puzzles and games on him. Also, the QR code in the book takes the readers to a website, where young readers can play 100+ games and puzzles to know more about Yogi Adityanath and Uttar Pradesh.
Speaking at the Chennai launch, Gurumurthy said that this is the first time he is making an exception to come for the book launch of a living politician. He added that he made this exception because of four reasons – one, because it’s a book on Yogi Adityanath who changed the negative perception on Uttar Pradesh into a transformational growth story. Two, he is wanted to meet young political leaders like Shehzaad Poonawala, Three, it’s very difficult to say NO to the genuine invitation of Shantanu, whose idea of home-schooling his children really impressed him and lastly because the event is happening in Chinmaya Mission under the blessing of Swami Mitrananda.
Poonawala addressed the students and told them about the character building that this book and the life of Yogi teaches all of us. He also talked about infrastructure and governance transformation that Yogi has brought in Uttar Pradesh. Poonawala also brought kid’s attention to how big a animal and nature lover the UP Chief Minsiter is.
Swami Mitrananda called upon the students and pointed them towards page number 5 of the graphic novel, which shows how Yogi Adityanath was brought up along with seven siblings in a one room house and how by his sheer hard work, divinity and dedication, he rose to become the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.
Towards the end, Gupta conducted a quiz on Yogi and Uttar Pradesh and connected directly with hundreds of children. Speed artist Amit Verma fascinated every one by painting the portrait of Yogi with in few minutes on a life size canvas.
