Delhi Book Fair 2018 – a resounding success

Despite all odds, Delhi Book Fair 2018 was a success, both in terms of the number of exhibitors as well as visitors to the show. ITPO has announced dates for next edition i.e. five – day event from August 28 to September 01,2019 in New Halls of IECC.

The 24th edition of Delhi Book Fair, held concurrently with Stationery and Office Automation Fair was successfully held from August 25-September 2, 2018 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The show was inaugurated by Dr. Satya Pal Singh, the Hon’ble Minister of State for Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, who was glad to take a round of the exhibition.

“Despite challenges like renovation work going on in Pragati maidan and heavy rains, the show was a success. We had a total area of 2500 sq m of booked space with 127 exhibitors, combined for both fairs. The shows attracted over 2.7 lakh visitors to the show, which is more than double the number of visitors last year. For the benefit of the visitors, we had shuttle bus service and a visitors lounge, which were well appreciated,” told Deepak Kumar, IAS, Executive Director, India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO).

“We got a very good response for the painting competition we organised for the kids. The cultural activities at the fair added value and was a big attraction. Adivasi Kavi Sammelan was another event which drew huge crowds,” he said. “As per a feedback done by ITPO, 70% people appreciated the event, 80% liked the ambience, 73% liked the security arrangements, 70% appreciated cleanliness at the fair and 65% shared that their objective of attending the show was attained. Almost 90% of the exhibitors remarked that they would like to participate in the show again.”

On the last day of the fair, Deepak Kumar presented the Awards for Excellence in Display to the participants. Also present on the occasion were Ramesh Mittal, President, Federation of Indian Publishers(FIP); Naveen Gupta, Secretary FIP and Krishan Kumar, Senior Manager, ITPO. The Awards were mainly presented in different categories comprising Hindi, regional and English languages. Awards were also given away for the Excellence in display in the Stationery & Office Automation Fair.

Complimenting the Award winners in his keynote address, Shri Deepak Kumar, ED, ITPO, announced the dates for the next edition of the fair i.e. August 28 to September 01, 2019. He indicated that the fair would be organized with an enhanced size and stature in the newly developed halls of International Exhibition cum Convention Centre at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi for five days in view of the demand received from the publishing fraternity.

FIP Awards for Excellence in Book Production

On the sidelines of the Delhi Book Fair, Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP) organised the Awards for Excellence in Book Production. The FIP received 1326 books from 90 publishers for various categories of awards. 135 titles by 68 publishers in English and key Indian languages were selected by the eminent jury for various categories of prizes. 45 titles received the first prize in different segments.

It is heartening to share that Publishers on Publishing: Inside India’s Book Business edited by Nitasha Devasar, was awarded the first prize at the Excellence in Book Production Awards in POD category while All About Book Publishing was awarded the Merit Certificate in Journals category.