Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday said books play a “catalytic role” in life, and urged the young generation to develop an interest in reading. He also called Gujarat an “intellectual state” that has always been in the forefront in the culture of reading and teaching. Pradhan and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated ‘Ahmedabad International Book Festival 2025’ and ‘Food for Thought Fest’ at the Sabarmati Event Centre.