Patna, Dec. 17: Youths in the capital are taking lessons in “eternal love” from their former teacher, Matuknath Choudhary.

The dairy of the “self styled love guru” is selling like hot cakes at the Patna Book Fair. And the buyers, as expected, are mostly college goers and teenagers.

Matuknath Choudhary, a former professor of Hindi at BN College, Patna University, has become an icon of love for the youths.

At the ongoing book fair, Matuk-Julie Ki Diary, a two-volume book written by the former teacher, is again attracting a number of buyers.

The book, published by Vaani Publication last year, became a bestseller during the last book fair in the capital.

This year too, the demand is unprecedented. Ever since the fair opened on December 10, as many as 40 copies of both the volume had been sold and more copies are being ordered, officials of Vaani Publication said.

Prem Kishan, Patna branch manager of Vaani Publication told The Telegraph that most of the buyers are college students.

“The book is in demand this year too. People are, in fact, buying both the parts in one go. Till now over 40 sets have been sold and people are ordering more,” he said.

Matuk-Julie Ki Diary is priced at Rs 600 for both volumes. Matuknath Choudhary first hit the headlines in 2006 when his wife Abha caught him with Julie, then a student at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

Both Choudhary and Julie publicly accepted their love for each other. The professor was insulted by his wife in front of the media and his face was blackened by protesters who accompanied Abha. Julie too was beaten up badly by Choudhary’s wife in front of TV cameras.

The incident however did not stop the two from living together as Choudhary went on to announce that he will love Julie till his breath. Julie too vouched her commitment for the professor.

Later in 2009, the Patna University authorities dismissed Choudhary on ground of violation of service code of conduct.

Choudhary’s book deals with the subject of eternal love and has detailed articles on “degradation” of society, education, health etc.

“The author has tried to say that the degradation has come due to absence of eternal love among the people of today. It is not about the physical aspect of love,” Kishan said. Last year, when the book was launched, the response was terrific, he added.

“Last year, more than 100 copies sold at the book fair. This year, it is just the start and more than 40 copies have already been sold. We are hoping to sell more copies this time,” Kishan said.

For the buyers, the story of Batuknath and Julie is interesting in all aspects.

“We still remember those television garbs when his face was smeared with black paint and Julie was beaten up. It is surprising that despite so much insult, both of them are still together and vocal about their love. There really must be something in their relationship which holds them together. I have bought the copies as I want to know about them more and understand their perspective,” said Shailja Singh, a student.