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This year, those desirous of witnessing that annual haven of books and a priceless assortment of writing tools — the Delhi Book Fair and Stationery Fair — will have to contend with the winding, mucky path leading to Pragati Maidan, the venue where the event is held every year, thanks to a large-scale redevelopment project it is undergoing. But all the trouble is worth it once you do make it through. Add to that the fact that the entry to the fair, this year, is free of cost.

In its 24th edition, the Delhi Book Fair will be conducted in just hall number 7, instead of the three — 7, 8, and 12A — it was usually held in. “The redevelopment of Pragati Maidan has taken up about three-fourths of the area, but we are still organising this fair to attract youngsters to literature,” said Deepak Kumar, executive director, India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO).

Cultural activities galore

This year, the organising body has also roped in the city’s universities and institutions for a better youth connect. “So, alongside the regular features such as the Author’s Corner, book reading sessions, drawing competitions, etc. We will also have College Day, where students from cultural societies of different colleges will perform. Going forward, we want the colleges to participate regularly in the Delhi Book Fair,” adds Kumar.

In spite of the stationery attractions — notebooks and diaries with quirky covers, handmade bags, fancy pens, and innovative office stationery — being a major crowd-puller, the book fair organisers don’t see the other fair as competition. “It’s good, because if they come to buy stationery, I’m sure they will end up browsing books, too. And this will ultimately increase the footfall of the event,” said Ashok Gupta, general secretary, Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP).

The 120 plus exhibitors might not have leading international names, but the fair boasts some major Indian publishers, including Diamond Pocket Books, National Book Trust, Sahitya Akademi, and Hindi Academy.

‘Delhi Government should adopt book fair’

Also, for the perennial questions about the variety on display versus that in the New Delhi World Book Fair, Gupta believes that such comparisons are uncalled for. “Every state has its own book fair and we have this. Also, I feel that the Delhi Government should adopt this, and make it a youth festival of sorts. That’s when people’s expectations with this fair will be fulfilled,” he said.

Original article can be found here.