Bookworms, get ready The Delhi Book Fair is round the corner With 'Women Writing' as the theme in acknowledgement of the growing contribution of women in this field, the 14th edition of the Delhi Book Fair opens on August 30 at Pragati Maidan.
'Women Writing' coincides with the 50th year celebration of Lekhika Sangh, a consortium of Indian women writers.
Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari will inaugurate the fair on Saturday, which will continue till September 7.
With 299 participants, compared to 224 last year, from India and six other countries, the annual book fair organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) in collaboration with Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP) is only getting bigger "Last year, there were half a million visitors, a larger number is expected this year," organisers said.
ITPO Chairman and Managing Director Dr Sheela Bhide told a media conference here on Wednesday, "Publishers are aware they get more exposure hence the increase in numbers." "In fact, the response is so overwhelming, we are into expansion in big way From next year, the Delhi Book Fair will go to other Indian cities too; under the name 'India Book Fair' starting with Mumbai," Bhide said.
To a query if any controversial books would be up for grabs at the fair, FIP's R.C. Govil said, "We (the publishers) are strong advocates of the freedom to write and publish. All books would be available in the fair" The fair will be supplemented by a number of seminars, book launches and workshops, he said. HT
