Delhi Book Fair 2018: the stage is set for another successful inning!

The 24th Delhi Book Fair is set to be held from August 25-September 2, 2018 at Hall no 7 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. This annual event was first organised in 1995 and since then India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), in association with Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP), is organising it annually.

Since 1999, ITPO is also organising Stationery Fair alongwith Delhi Book Fair. This year, the fair will be held for the 20th time. ITPO has widened the scope of display by including Office Automation & Corporate Gifts since 2015.

These events seek to provide ideal platform for promoting business in the fields of book publishing, stationery sector and other allied sectors. The Delhi Book Fair provides under one roof large scope for business to business transaction, establishing new contacts, entering into co-publishing arrangements, translation and copyright arrangements, reprinting of old and rare books, apart from providing retailing opportunities to visitors.

The inauguration…

These fairs will be inaugurated on August 25, 2018 by Dr. Satya Pal Singh, the Hon’ble Minister of State for Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.

The extensive showcase…

Around 120+ exhibitors are participating in these events displaying books and publications, stationery products, office automation products and gift items, etc.

What’s new?

A number of new initiatives have been taken this year. “For the first time, Online Booking system has been introduced for these events. The system enables the participants to register on the spot, allow them to identify and block the space, upload the required documents and make payment instantly through credit card / net banking. This system has worked very well and almost all the space has been reserved well in advance,” tells Deepak Kumar Jain, General Manager, ITPO.

“For the first time, ITPO has tried to make it a cultural event as well, involving youth at the fair. We have involved colleges of Delhi University and I.P. University to organise cultural events and make presentation about the colleges during these events under “College of the Day” programme. The Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College and Fairfield Institute of Management Training are organising their events during the fairs. Dr. S.N. Subbarao Foundation will also be organising cultural events. A programme by Matrubharti Technologies has also been planned apart from other activities,” tells Krishan Kumar, Senior Manager, ITPO.

“Another highlight is the Adiwasi Kavi Sammelan, which is also being organised for the first time,” he adds.

What’s more?

To make the events more meaningful, a number of conferences and seminars, book releases, book discussions, literary activities for children and meet-the-author get together are being organized. Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP), Publications Division, Sahitya Academy, Indian Library Association, Lakhika Sangh, Authors Guild of India, Rangnathan Research Circle, German Book Office, Diamond Pocket Books and others are organizing these events. Bachpan Society is organizing special interaction activities for the slum children.

“The FIP, with the support of Delhi Government,is organising drawing competitions for school children from Corporation and Delhi Administration Schools. The sketching / painting kits will be sponsored by Kores India,” adds Jain.

Promotions…

“Extensive promotion campaign has been launched on social media, radio, outdoor media and print media, which is expected to result in large turn out of visitors this year. We have also developed metro panels on the Dwarka-Vaishali metro route to get maximum visibility,” adds Jain.

Facilities for visitors…

Special arrangements are being made for the visitors and exhibitors in terms of free shuttle service at Gate Nos. 1, 8 and 10 to the fair venue i.e. Hall No. 7. Drinking water facilities, F&B outlets, ATMs are being provided. Entry to the fair for all visitors has been kept free this year.

On a concluding note…

“Though we had space constraints this time due to renovation work going on in Pragati Maidan, still response is more than encouraging,” tells Jain.

“Onset of digital publishing has affected the participation in book fairs to a significant extent as people are fast moving from printed to digital medium. However, it does not mean that the habit or relevance of books has gone down. Books will exist in one form or the other all the time. Further, the conventional way of reading books will also continue for obvious reasons. There is lot of scope for reviving the book fairs by encouraging participation from digital publishing set-ups alongside conventional publishing. The participation of major players like Amazon in Delhi Book Fair is indicative of the change. This is a transition phase and we hope to have a bigger Delhi Book Fair in the coming year after the redevelopment of Pragati Maidan,” concludes Jain optimistically.