Delhi Book Fair begins at Pragati Maidan, fair will continue till Sunday
From Gita to Ramayana and Yoga books are leaving a global impact
Ashish Singh
New Delhi. Indian books on Geeta, Shrimad Bhagwat, Ramayana and Yoga are making their global impact. The demand for books on these subjects has increased among readers not only in the country but also abroad. A glimpse of this was seen in the 28th edition of Delhi Book Fair which started on Wednesday at Pragati Maidan. Here, books on religion, yoga and Indian folk tales are attracting people at every stall. Booksellers and publishers have said that the reason behind this is their increasing demand at the global level. Apart from this, books related to literature, fiction and personal development are also being read and purchased prominently.
The theme of the fair is the global influence of Indian books. In such a situation, the sellers have come here with the most popular Indian books in the world. The fair is being organized by the India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) in collaboration with The Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP) in Hall No. 12A and 12 of Bharat Mandapam. Books are available at discount from the first day in the book fair. At some places, a book is available for Rs 100, while at other places people are buying two books for Rs 100. The highest number of readers was seen at the stall of Gita Press Gorakhpur in Hall No. 12A. Here readers can be seen waiting for their turn. Delhi Gita Press manager Ravi Kharkiya said that this time the demand for books on education, Nari Dharma, Jeevan Jeene Ki Kala, Bal Jeevan and Bal Katha along with Gita and Ramayana has increased.
Sales of religious books increased
People of all ages including youth, women, elderly are coming to the fair. People are coming to the fair with their children. They are introducing them to their culture. Bookseller Udit Rai said that he has come to the fair from Chandigarh. All kinds of religious books are available here. The highest demand is for Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta and Ramcharitmanas. Their price is only Rs 400. He said that Geeta is available with him in all sizes. From keeping it in the temple to people can even keep it in their shirt pockets. Meanwhile, Mega Singh, who is buying books, says that religious books have a different significance for children. For this reason she has brought her children along to buy books.
Despite the digital world, the desire for books has increased
On one hand, the digital world has developed, but in the fair, all this seems a distant thing. Here, readers are seen searching for their favourite books with great interest. Readers say that the fun of reading a book by holding it in hand is not there in digital books. Deepak Gupta, who came from Hisar in Haryana, said that the joy of reading is only in books. The fragrance of books is the only thing that has brought him here.
Reader’s corner became the center of attraction
A separate reader’s corner has been made in the fair, which is attracting a lot of readers. Here readers can buy a book and read it in detail. Not only this, they can also know about the book before buying it. Reader Kuldeep Yadav, who came from Rohini, says that he has bought the book. Now he was feeling like reading, so he started sitting here and reading.
Book fair connects youth with the future: Aggarwal
The five-day book bonanza, Delhi Book Fair was inaugurated by IAS CA Rajat Agarwal, Executive Director, ITPO, at Bharat Mandapam. The fair started with other popular events like Stationery Fair, Office Automation and Corporate Gift Fair. Speaking on the occasion, Rajat Agarwal said that the response from exhibitors will increase in its next edition. He said that the book fair has a special place for ITPO as it connects the youth with the future of the country. FIP Chairman Naveen Gupta, ITPO General Manager Hema Maiti and many others were present during the event.
