NBT organizes training course in book publishing at Imphal

A certificate course in book publishing was organized by NBT, India at Manipur University, Imphal from February 10-22,2020. The course is being organized in collaboration with the Department of Commerce, Manipur University. Interestingly more than 42 students participated including two from far flung Kerala.

The programme was inaugurated by Yumnam Joykumr Singh, Deputy Chief Minister, Manipur. Joy kumar, in his address, highlighted the importance of NBT and its role towards the development of the country since its inception in August 1957. It was important to understand different cultures, traditions and historical facts of each society which constitutes our big and diverse country. He appreciated the role played by NBT, India in developing reading culture and took up the responsibility of publishing and translating books and literature from different dialects and languages of India. He urged NBT, India to give the same thrust and assistance to the work of translation of folktales, literature and traditional forms of music of the people of interior parts of the state. He also raised concern about the shortage of school textbooks and lack of publishing houses in the state. He appreciated the initiative of NBT, India in providing training on the various aspects of book publishing. He urged the participants to take full advantage of the opportunity so that the state of Manipur could also benefit from their experience and knowledge acquired from this course.

Prof. Govind Prasad Sharma, Chairman, NBT, India addressing the audience said that NBT has embarked upon the journey of book publishing ever since its inception in 1957. He propounded that NBTis the pioneer institute in the country to publish books in fifty two different languages. He assured that NBT would be ready to publish books in Manipuri scripts also. He assured that the Trust will extend all possible support to publish authors and other regional languages of north-eastern states. He invited authors to submit their manuscripts and after verification, NBT will be happy to publish them.

Jarnail Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University appreciated the efforts of Prof. Kh. Tomba, of Department of Commerce for tacking up such an initiative. He appreciated the role a publisher plays in the publication of a book. He wished that books produced should create goodwill and be relevant to the society like that of Manipur.

Narender Kumar the Training In charge, NBT appreciated the efforts and cooperation by Prof. Tomba for all the logistic help to make this programme a success. Experts like Vivek Mehra, Kalyan Bannerjee, BD Mehndiratta etc. introduced the mechanics of book publishing to the benefit of the participants.

–G S Jolly