Dr MM Pallam Raju unveils the new NBT logo on its 56th foundation day

As part of celebration of 56th Foundation Day of National Book Trust, India, Dr MM Pallam Raju, hon’ble minister of Human Resource Development, Government of India launched the new NBT logo at a specially organized function at National Book Trust’s campus in New Delhi. Tarun Deep Girdher of National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, who designed the new logo, explained the concept behind, amidst well-known dignitaries like A Sethumadhavan, chairman, NBT India; MA Sikandar, director, NBT India, and Veena, joint secretary, Ministry of HRD, Government of India.

According to Dr Raju, “From its inception, NBT has been playing a unique role in promoting books and reading culture, the change of logo is in tune with the changing surroundings and repositioning in the present environment.” He stressed on the convergence and suggested that resources of other institutions engaged in the promotion of books, literature and culture of India should be roped in to reach out to people. He unveiled the plaque displaying the new logo.

He also emphasized that there is a need to communicate more vigorously with the North East through books. Therefore, more and more books on North East should be published and NBT and National Bal Bhavan should work together in this direction.

Dr Raju also inaugurated the newly designed children library and resource center for the writers of children literature. On the occasion, a story-telling session was organized by National Council for Children Literature, a wing of NBT for the school children of South Delhi Kendriya Vidyalayas. Renowned authors of children literature like Prakash Manu and Paro Anand read out stories to the students.

Dr Pallam Raju took keen interest in the programme and sat with the students to listen the stories being told by the authors.

Delivering the second NBT Foundation Day Lecture, Prof Andre Beteille, eminent sociologist and national research professor, spoke at length on the importance of reading and writing at large. According to Prof Beteille, “As reading and writing developed, it also divided the population into those who had monopolized the benefits of reading and writing and those who didn’t.” The lecture was presided over Dr Narender Jadhav, writer and member, Planning Commission.

–GS Jolly