“The New Delhi World Book Fair will soon be the world’s biggest book fair”

The 28th edition of New Delhi World Book Fair 2020 (NDWBF) was recently held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. This nine-day book fair saw a footfall of more than 10,00,000 people.

“We are in the midst of ocean of books,” said Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank,’ Hon’ble Union Minister for Human Resource Development, while inaugurating the 28th edition of New Delhi World Book Fair 2020 (NDWBF) at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Dr Nishank added, this Mahakumbh of books is filled with thoughts, the thoughts which give power to humanity.“This book fair is a place where people meet each other, and generate and share new thoughts and ideas,” said Dr Nishank. He added that the books help youth of India to come across new thoughts.

Few of the major highlights included:

Theme Pavilion: The theme of the New Delhi World Book Fair 2020 was ‘Gandhi: The Writers’ Writer’ to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi. The theme was an attempt to give booklovers a glimpse of how Mahatma Gandhi, a great strategic communicator, inspired and influenced generations of writers and how the writers understood and emulated Gandhiji in words. In the specially designed pavilion (inspired by Sabarmati Ashram), with hand-spun materials as wall cladding; there was an exclusive exhibition of 500 books of 100 publishers on and by Gandhi in different Indian languages, as well as 30 panel discussions, book launches and performances related to the theme. The archival materials on display at the Theme pavilion were from Navjivan Trust, Ahmedabad and National Gandhi Museum, New Delhi. The Pavilion was designed by National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.

Authors’ Corners / Seminar Hall: Some of the well-known writers, both popular and critically acclaimed, were engaged in lively banters with the visitors at Authors’ Corners. There were three special Corners which include International Events Corner (Hall No. 7A), Reflections (Hall No. 8) and LekhakManch (Hall No. 12).

Children’s Pavilion: A series of programmes like storytelling sessions, drawing competitions, songs, plays, poets’ meets, etc were conducted at the children’s pavilion.

New Delhi Rights Table: The annual business forum, the New Delhi Rights Table was organized at the fair by the National Book Trust, India, where over 40 publishers from India and abroad participated in the event. The New Delhi Rights Table is a unique business forum where publishers meet and exchange their business interests like selling and buying of book rights of their respective titles. (Source: NBT, India)