The 24th edition of the Fair concludes successfully with record sales and visitors.
New Delhi World Book Fair 2016 has concluded successfully with record number of people visiting the fair and publishers achieving record sales. It has also ended on a positive note that the love for books remains undiminished and the books are here to stay, be it in the form of printed books or ebooks. As compared to last few years, the number of people visiting the book fair has increased. This year over eleven lakh booklovers visited the Fair. The record number of people visiting the fair is historical. About one thousand publishers, distributors and booksellers of major Indian languages and English from across the country participated. They were happy with the response of readers at the Fair as this time they had a record sales. Even, the National Book Trust, India had good sales figures of about Rs 80 lakhs as compared to last year’s sales figure of Rs 50 lakhs.
Besides books, over 2000 literary events including book release functions, seminars, panel discussions, poets’ meet were organized by the National Book Trust, India along with the publishers and the foreign publishers. A good number of authors, children’s writers and poets interacted with the booklovers at the author’s corners and other literary events.
The Theme Pavilion, China Pavilion, Foreign Pavilion and the Children’s Pavilion remained the centre of attraction at the New Delhi World Book Fair. The handwritten lipis (manuscripts) on bhojpatra, the books on culture, tradition and scholars like Rigveda, Tulsidas, literary & cultural programmes and dramatic performances on Indian classical texts at the Pavilion attracted the booklovers. The exhibitions at the China Pavilion on Chinese Tea culture, Chinese books and publishing industry connected readers with the Chinese culture and literature.
The other cultural programmes at the Fair included recitals, songs, folk music & dances, skits, classical dance and music programmes, discussions, poetry sessions, meets and book release functions among others.
New Delhi World Book Fair takes place from 9 to 17 January 2016
The 24th edition of New Delhi World Book Fair took place at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 9 to 17 January 2016. China was the Guest of Honour country and HRD Minister Smriti Irani inaugurated the fair organized by the National Book Trust, India in collaboration with the India Trade Promotion Organisation. Later, the HRD Minister also inaugurated the Theme Pavilion and the China pavilion.
Eminent author S L Bhyrappa speaking at the inaugural function, commented: “Efforts should be made to make Sanskrit a language of communication, administration and science & technology.
The booklovers seemed to have been waiting for New Delhi World Book Fair. A long queue of booklovers could be seen at the metro stations to buy the entry tickets. The visitors of all age-groups and from all walks of life were seen busy browsing their favourite books and participating in the literary and cultural programmes at the Fair. More than eleven lakh booklovers visited the Fair.
China as Guest of Honour Country at the Fair
China was the guest of honour country at the New Delhi World Book Fair 2016 and its delegation includes more than 80 publishing houses and groups. More than 10,000 copies of 5000 titles were on display at the Pavilion. The visitors saw the India-China cultural exchanges as well as had a glimpse of Chinese book publishing industry and their culture at the exhibitions at the Pavilion including China-India Cultural Contacts Photo Exhibition, Publishing and Printing in Ancient China Exhibition, Chinese Tea Culture Exhibition and the Original Illustrations for children. China organized a number of events including book release, seminars, discussions etc. for booklovers, authors and publishers at the Pavilion.
Mr Sun Shoushan, Vice Minister, SAPPFRT, China said that New Delhi World Book Fair 2016 has set up an important platform for the cultural exchanges and mutual understanding for the entire world. “As Guest of Honour country we are pleased to get together with the publishers of India. The publishing exchanges between China and India have played an important role in cementing the relationships between peoples and promoting cultural exchanges,” he said.
Theme Pavilion showcases Cultural Heritage of India
This year, the theme of New Delhi World Book Fair was the ‘Cultural Heritage of India’. Situated at Hall No 7, the Theme Pavilion emphasised on the philosophy, knowledge traditions and multilingual literary practices which have shaped the culture and civilization of India and beyond for thousands of years. The Theme Pavilion displays more than 800 titles on Indian art, culture, music, dance, philosophy in various Indian languages.
A number of activities were organized at the Pavilion including a panel discussion on the topic ‘Science through Sanskrit: Exploring Possibilities’.
A panel discussion on the topic ‘Many Languages One Nation’ was organized at the Theme Pavilion at Hall No. 7. Prof. Agnihotri said that languages are a medium to connect with others. He opined that the different languages of India empower the country and unite the people. Shri Baldeo Bhai Sharma, Chairman, NBT; Prof. K N Tiwari, University of Delhi and Shri Nirmal Kanti Bhattacharjee, Niyogi Books also spoke on the occasion.
Besides discussion, several other programmes were organized at the Theme Pavilion including the Choir songs and panel discussion on the topic India’s Secular Literary Tradition. A panel discussion on the topic ‘Bharata’s Natyashastra and India’s Performance Tradition’ was organized at the Theme Pavilion.
The rare hastalipis (manuscripts) on palm leaves, the books on culture, dramatic and cultural performances on Indian scripts at the Theme Pavilion, the photo and cultural exhibitions at China Pavilion and literary activities like seminars, poets’ meet, book launch attracted the booklovers, publishers and authors alike.
The B2B event for the publishers, the New Delhi Rights Table was organized from 11 to 12 January and attracted more than 60 publishers from India and other countries.
Children’s Books and Activities at NDWBF 2016: A Treat for Children
The Children’s Pavilion remained the hub of activities for and by children where the young children not only interacted with the authors but also participated in the workshops and enjoyed the children’s films screened at the Pavilion. Jugalbandi, an interactive children’s session was organized at the Children’s Pavilion at Hall No. 14. Noted writer Das Benhur remarked that National Book Trust, India is helping children expand their knowledge through such programmes.
Even during working days didn’t deter booklovers to visit the Fair. The Hall No 14 comprised of the stalls from various children’s books publishers from across the country. Several activities for and by children were organized at the Pavilion by the NBT in collaboration with various schools, NGO and other organizations. The children got an opportunity to meet their favourite authors, illustrators, had reading and storytelling sessions with them, participated in the workshops on creative writing, illustrations etc. For the children’s writers, teachers, librarians, panel discussions, seminars were also organized. The Children’s Film Society screened popular films for children at the Pavilion every day. The Illustrator’s Corner encouraged young artists; another corner informed about learning aids; a corner by Care India made people aware about the need to educate children especially girls; reading corner let booklovers read books and know about the National Centre for Children’s Literature Library.
Workshop on animation, various skits by children, programmes and panel discussions were among the various initiatives taken by the pavilion. The panel discussions on Hindi literature and noted Hindi writer Premchand and Poets’ Meet were some of the literary events that engaged the booklovers.
Baldeo Bhai Sharma, Chairman, NBT said “The Trust has come up with a new Navlekhan series for young writers under the age of forty and has brought out 16 new titles. The theme pavilion displayed books beginning from bhoj patra to ebooks and also displayed ancient scripts.”
A discussion based on the books published under the Navlekhan series by National Book Trust, India to promote young authors was organized at the Theme Pavilion. At the Children’s Pavilion, a workshop on script writing was also organized.
Literary Programmes
At the Lekhak Manch, a literary book titled Kavya, edited by Nivedita Srivastava was released. On this occasion, a poet’s meet was also organized. A programme on Sanskrit literature was organized at Sahitya Manch, Hall No. 8. The speakers were of the view that Sanskrit is an ancient language of knowledge and wisdom. A symposium on Sufism was held at Hall No. 8. Topics on terrorism and need to promote love, peace, tolerance and harmony were discussed.
The New Delhi World Book Fair saw more than eleven lakh booklovers visiting the Pragati Maidan to interact with authors, participate in literary events like seminars, book release functions, panel discussions, visit the stalls of the publishers and acquaint themselves with the culture of China and India through books and exhibitions at the Theme and China Pavilion. At Lal Chowk, Dastongoi, a storytelling session was organized. Dastangoi, is a unique form of storytelling in Urdu language in which two storytellers narrate the story in rhythm with the help of musical instruments.
A number of books were released at the Fair.
