FPBAI bestows awards, new body formed

The Federation of Publishers & Booksellers Associations in India (FPBAI), held its 71st Annual General Meeting recently. The Presidential Report was presented by S.K. Ghai, President, FPBAI. The report comprised the audited statement of accounts and the balance sheet for the period April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, which, after due consideration, was unanimously adopted by the House.

This was followed by presentation of Awards, to FPBAI members in consideration of their outstanding services for the Indian book industry. The following Awards were bestowed on:-Golden Award (50 Years in Book Trade) to Arun Maheshwari, Vani Prakashan, Delhi; Dr. Basavaraj Konek, Sri Siddalingeshwar Book Depot and Prakashana Karnataka; Deepak Ahuja, Books & Periodicals; Ranchi; and Prem C. Lal,. International Book Distributors, Delhi.

While, the FPBAI Distinguished School Book Publishing Award went to Ish Kapur, Dhanpat Rai Publications Pvt. Ltd., Delhi and FPBAI Distinguished Regional Language Publishing Award to Akhil Mehta, Mehta Publishing House Pvt. Ltd., Pune.

Finally the Election for office bearers of FPBAI for the financial year 2025-26, took place and the following members were declared as elected: S.K. Ghai (President); Pradeep Arora (Immediate Past President); Arunjit Singh Gujral, Vice President (North); Pankaj Bhagawati, Vice President (East); Dr. M.S. Venkatesh, Vice President (South); Vikas Chowdhary, (Hony. Secretary); Kalpana Shukla(Hony. Jt. Secretary) and Ravi Sethi (Hony. Treasurer).