FIP 44th Awards for Excellence in Book Production conferred

The Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP) recently hosted the 44th Awards for Excellence in Book Production at New Delhi. This prestigious event celebrated outstanding contributions to the Indian publishing industry, recognising excellence in book production and honouring key figures who have significantly impacted the sector.

The ceremony was attended by prominent Chief Guests, Hon’ble Justice Hima Kohli, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, and Smriti Zubin Irani, Politician, Author, and Former Cabinet Minister. Esteemed dignitaries such as Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Former Minister of State for Education and External Affairs, Government of India, and D. K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary of Sahitya Akademi, graced the event.

In his welcome address, Naveen Gupta, President of FIP, highlighted the publishing industry’s importance in fostering education and knowledge dissemination and emphasized FIP’s commitment to promoting quality standards and innovation within the sector.

In her keynote speech, the Hon’ble Ms. Justice Hima Kohli underscored the transformative power of literature and the vital role publishers play in shaping society’s narrative. She praised the resilience of the Indian publishing industry, particularly in the face of global challenges, and encouraged continued investment in knowledge creation.

During a conversation with Pranav Gupta, General Secretary of FIP, Smriti Zubin Irani praised the significance of books and literature, mainly Indian literature. She quoted “These days giving your child a tablet, a smartphone means that you have fulfilled your responsibility by giving them a loaded up device. But reading itself, and post-reading – a conversation around what you have read is actually what helps the child grow and manifest their own imagination.”

The awardees at the event included: Outstanding Science, Technology & Medicine Publisher: CBS Publishers & Distributors Pvt Ltd; Outstanding Children’s Book Publisher: Brijbasi Art Press Ltd; and Swaran Puraskar: Vijay Ahuja, Managing Director of Delhi Book Store. Friends of Publishing Award were conferred upon: Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Former Minister of State for Education and External Affairs, Government of India;Dr. K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi; Rahul Goel, Partner at Anant Law; and Kritika Sahni, Partner at Ajay Sahni & Associates.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of Awards for Excellence in Book Production, where publishers from across India were celebrated for their achievements. Each awardee received accolades for their innovative publishing practices, commitment to quality, and contributions to the literary landscape.

The event concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks by Pranav Gupta, General Secretary, FIP who was instrumental in organizing and hosting the awards ceremony.