NDWBF 2018 concludes with a message to conserve the environment

The world of books is unique. Books enrich the life of people, said Prakash Javadekar, Hon’ble Minister of Human Resource Development, while declaring open the New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) through a video message at the inauguration at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 6 to 14 January 2018. Javadekar added that books are as important as we require food to live and sleep to take rest. Books and reading help humans to develop.

The theme of the Fair was ‘Environment and Climate Change’ as it is necessary that we all need to work together for the protection of environment.

European Union was the Guest of Honour at the fair and there were 35 authors from Europe, who interacted with the book lovers.

While welcoming the guests, Baldeo Bhai Sharma, Chairman, NBT said that India may have a tradition of Kumbha Mela after every 12 years but New Delhi World Book Fair is the annual Maha Kumbha of books. Speaking of the 60 years’ journey of the Trust, Sharma said that the Trust has been bringing out books in different Indian languages, promoting books and reading culture throughout the country through book fairs, book exhibitions among others. He added that the Trust has also recently brought out books in Sanskrit and initiated the scheme of ‘Har Haath Ek Kitab’. He also talked about ‘Mahila Lekhan Protsahan Yojana’ for women authors below the age of forty. He urged the people present on the occasion to present books to children on their birthday, which will play an important role in shaping their lives.

Once again, the fair proved to be a paradise for book lovers.