The World Book Fair aged 26 today and the theme highlighted this year was “Environment & Climate Change- To create awareness and to create better perspective on the issue through the world of books”.
Delhi weather is breaking new records. While the pollution is hitting hazardous level, the cold is chilling the bones, one thing that can warm up the national capital is the World Book Fair that started today at the Pragati Maidan premises.
The World Book Fair aged 26 today and the theme highlighted this year was “Environment & Climate Change- To create awareness and to create better perspective on the issue through the world of books”. Bibliophile or not — one event that lures Delhites of all age groups. The annual affair, which began in 1972 is hosting 800 publishers, including 40 from abroad. The event is organised by the National Book Trust (NBT) in association with India Trade Promotion Organisation.
Here is why the World Book Fair is a must visit Bibliophile or not
Publishing houses like the MBD Group launched a series of interactive E-books. So if you are wary of carrying books, your e-reader will be your library on the go. They are not just fun to read especially for students but the best option for a vivid reader. With the interactive e-books, students can brainstorm and come up with their own solutions.
The National Book Trust has for the first time launched a Sanskrit book on Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi Tattva Shatakam. Earlier it also organised NBT Rashtriya Sanskrit Pustak Mela in Varanasi, where publishers showcased books in Sanskrit as well as in other languages. To bring more and more people of rural areas closer to books, NBT is also planning to organise National Panchayat Book Fairs by involving Panchayati Raj institutions, the first one will be held in Srinagar, Uttarakhand.
“Another new initiative is Rashtriya Bal Pustak Mela in Pune, where there will be a two-day seminar on what kind of books should be developed for children to inculcate reading habits among them,” tells Sharma.
NBT has launched Mahila Lekhan Protsahan Yojna, under which NBT published original and unpublished works of young writers. The 26th Book fair saw the launch of books written by budding women Dalit writers.
The European Union was the guest of honour this year. European Union delegation comprised of 32 authors, 13 members including Hungary, Portugal, Sweden, Austria, Latvia, Switzerland etc.
Book fairs always have a lineup book launches and reading session with the authors in an open session. Such conversations and author meetups are a dream opportunity for bibliophiles for intellectual exchange. Those interested in the discussion can head to the popular Author’s Corner.
Not all the books at the book fair are exclusive and price. There were book stalls where you can exchange books, buy second-hand books and even buy new books at throwaway prices. Such opportunities are the best for students who only have pocket money to work with. Many stalls offer as many as three books at the price of a meagre Rs. 100 and are the most crowded.
As Frank Zappa said, "So many books so little time." Here let`s get started!
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