“Let’s make Singapore the ‘Content Hub’ for publishing”

–R Ramachandran, executive director, National Book Development Council of Singapore

National Book Trust (NBT) and IIC recently organised an interface with R Ramachandran, executive director, National Book Development Council of Singapore on the theme Singapore as a Gateway for Asian Children’s Content at the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi. The talk was held, keeping in view that India is the Focus Country in the Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC) in 2014.

Focusing on the opportunities that Singapore can provide to India for promoting Indian content across the world, Ramachandran felt that Asia is hungry for content and India can feed for that appetite. Singapore has a large Asian population and has a multi-lingual culture, excellent infrastructure, cultural sensitivity, excellent library facilities and gateway to IIC the rest of the world. He urged Indian publishers to establish their units in Singapore and reach out to the rest of the world. He further added that India and Singapore will be celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relationship in the year 2015 and to mark this occasion, both the countries should strengthen their ties through cultural, trade and other exchanges throughout the year. “The Focus Country Presentation of India in the AFCC 2014 may be a nice beginning,” he added.

In his presidential address, Prof Avadhesh Kumar Singh, director, School of Translation Studies and Training, IGNOU emphasised on constant cultural ties with Singapore.

MA Sikandar, director, NBT while welcoming the guests, appreciated Ramachandran’s pioneering efforts to promote reading culture among the masses.

The evening was well coordinated by Dr S Majumdar, chief librarian, IIC and MR Mahapatra, editor, NBT. Several authors, publishers and book lovers took part in this event.