Book lovers browsing through the collection at the final day of the book fair in Tiruchi on Sunday. /  Photo: M. Srinath / The Hindu

The National Book Trust (NBT), India, under the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development, is going all out to motivate the regional language publications to participate in a big way at the World Book Fair scheduled at Pragathi Maidan in New Delhi in February next year. Until its last edition, the World Book Fair organised by NBT, was held once two years. Following overwhelming response from book lovers, it was decided to make it an annual affair.

The NBT has already launched an exclusive World Book Fair 2013 website to create awareness on the forthcoming expo, Mr.T.Mathan Raj, assistant editor (Tamil), NBT, told The Hindu on Sunday. The book fair in Tiruchi organised by NBT concluded on Monday.

50% discount

To rope in more regional language publishers, the NBT has been providing 50 per cent discount in stall rent. NBT has also come forward to provide one stall free of cost to each regional language publishing association .

In Tamil Nadu, this offer has been made to BAPASI, which has been organising Chennai Book Fair successfully every year.

The regional publishing houses, which will find the rent of stalls too high, can take advantage of this offer, to display their works. He said that every year one country will be accorded the status of ‘guest of honour country’ at the World Book Fair.

For the February 2013 fair the honour has been bestowed on France. The theme of the forthcoming fair is ‘tribal literature’ and the NBT has planned to register indigenous literature in a big way at the World Book Fair.

Platform for discussion

The World Book Fair will provide a good opportunity to regional publishers to meet renowned writers and publishing houses of world languages, with whom they can hold negotiations on vital issues of copyright, and forge links.

Referring to the Tiruchi Book Fair, which the NBT organised for the first time in association with district administration and Rotary Club of Tiruchi, he said that the fair was a big hit and the locals wanted to extend the expo by some more days.

Mohammed Hussain, president, Rotary Club of Tiruchi, said that the fair had gladdened the book lovers of Tiruchi and neighbouring districts and publishing houses that had put up stalls.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Tiruchirapalli / by Syed Muthahar Saqaf / October 16th, 2012