Hyderabad:19 Dec (Patriotic Views) Chief Minister Sri A. Revanth Reddy inaugurated the Hyderabad Book Fair on Thursday, highlighting the significance of books in preserving history and inspiring future generations. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister commended the organizers for naming venues at the book fair after prominent writers and artists who contributed to societal awareness through their work.

The Chief Minister appreciated the initiative, stating, “Naming venues after notable writers and artists who played a vital role in people’s movements through their writings and songs sends a strong message to society.”

Revanth Reddy spoke about the neglect of activists who sacrificed their lives during the Telangana struggle, criticizing the distortion of historical narratives. He said, “The armed peasant struggle and the phases of the Telangana movement have been misrepresented. Those who fought for the cause must have their names etched in history, rather than only recognizing those who gained political benefits.”

He recounted his speech on the Telangana Bill in the united Andhra Pradesh Assembly, drawing from books and songs that created awareness about the struggle.

The Chief Minister expressed concern over the declining importance of books in the digital era, stating, “The rise of technological advancements and digital media is reducing the importance of books and reading. Organizing a grand book fair like this is essential to inspire the next generation to value books.”

Revanth Reddy emphasized the role of historians in unearthing the stories of unsung heroes. “The younger generation knows only Google, but real history lies in the books written by historians. We can understand the sacrifices of the past only when historians write about those who fought and died in the struggles,” he added, criticizing attempts to manipulate history over the past decade.

Highlighting the contributions of cultural icons, the Chief Minister mentioned the naming of Telugu University after Suravaram Pratap Reddy and praised poets like Kaloji and Dasarathi for inspiring the first phase of the Telangana movement. He also acknowledged the influence of writers like Andesri, Guda Anjaiah, and Gaddar in the second phase of the movement.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, he said, “The state government is dedicated to promoting the Hyderabad Book Fair and respecting efforts to convey real history.” He added that his participation, along with other ministers, was to encourage societal awareness and discussions on social consciousness and change.

The Hyderabad Book Fair continues to serve as a vital platform for promoting the culture of reading and preserving the legacy of Telangana’s history.