New Delhi World Book Fair will soon be world’s biggest book fair : Nishank’

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nisank’ inaugurated the 28^th edition of New Delhi World Book Fair 2020 (NDWBF) at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on January 4, 2020.

Eminent Gandhian scholar Prof. Girishwar Misra; Chairman, National Book Trust, Prof. Govind Prasad Sharma; Joint Secretary, MHRD, Madan Mohan, Rajesh Aggarwal, Executive Director, ITPO, and other officials were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Pokhriyal said that we are in the midst of ocean of books and this Mahakumbh of books is filled with thoughts, the thoughts which give power to humanity. He said that this book fair is a place where people meet each other and generate and share new thoughts and ideas. He added that the books help youth of India to come across new thoughts.

Speaking on the theme of the Fair this year, which is ‘GANDHI: WRITERS’ WRITER, the  HRD minister said that we are celebrating 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi in times when we need him the most. The world today is facing several challenges including terrorism. He added that the world, the nation, the society and all individuals, need Gandhi because of his vision and his philosophy of peace and non-violence. The Minister also urged publishers to promote books and the habit of reading as people are moving away from books, and a book fair like the NDWBF ensures that books and reading is preserved and increases, according to a PIB release.

The Minister appreciated the fact that the New Delhi World Book Fair is arguably Asia’s biggest book fair and he was hopeful that this fair would soon become the world’s biggest book fair.

Prof. Girishwar Misra, eminent Gandhian scholar and the Guest of Honour on the occasion, spoke in detail about the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. He said that Mahatma Gandhi was the Man of Century. He showed the path of truth, peace and non-violence because of his wide reading of books including Gita, Quran and Bible.

While welcoming the guests, Prof. Govind Prasad Sharma, Chairman, NBT, informed the audience about this edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair, and said that through this world of books, one can gain more and more knowledge in different fields and show us new direction.

Theme Pavilion: This year, the theme of the New Delhi World Book Fair 2020 is ‘Gandhi: The Writers’ Writer’ to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi was a prolific writer, editor, publisher, Printer and Institution Builder. He wrote extensively in Gujarati, Hindi and English languages. His writings not only reflected his philosophy of non-violence and peace but also gave an insight into the socio-economic and political scenario of the country.

The theme is an attempt to give booklovers a glimpse of how Mahatma Gandhi, a great strategic communicator, inspired and influenced generations of writers and how the writers understood and emulated Gandhiji in words. In the specially designed pavilion (inspired by Sabarmati Ashram) with hand-spun materials as wall cladding; there will be an exclusive exhibition of 500 books of 100 publishers on and by Gandhi in different Indian languages, as well as 30 panel discussions, book launches and performances related to the theme.

Some of the well-known writers both popular and critically acclaimed like Anirban Ganguly, Bhawana Sommaya, Kevin Missal, Madhulika Dutta, Manoshi Sinha Rawal, Sudha Murthy, Sumit Dutt Majumdar, among others will engage in lively banters with the visitors at Authors’ Corners. There will be three special Corners which include International Events Corner (Hall No. 7A), Reflections (Hall No. 8) and LekhakManch (Hall No. 12).