Publishers cash on the Commonwealth Games

When the whole world was talking about the Commonwealth Games, could publishing industry be behind? Infact, publishing industry has always been known for correlating events as a very big marketing tool. Lately, it was the Commonwealth Games, Diwali and more recently the Obama’s visit to India, when bookstores were prominently displaying books on these subjects. Here are details of two book launched during Commonwealth Games. Pitambar Publishing Co (P) Ltd recently launched a book titled Commonwealth Games- An Extravaganza in New Delhi coinciding with the Commonwealth Games. The book is authored by Dr Pushker Srivastava and Gyanendra Bartaria. The book was officially launched by Rama Kant Goswami, MLA and chairman, Delhi Jal Board.

At the launch function, Pushker told that the book is an attempt to answer questions like what are Commonwealth Games and what would be their impact on India. He said that it is aimed at students appearing for competitive exams. He told that the foreword is given by Irfan Sheikh. He also thanked Anand Bhushan, the publisher, for making the book see light of the day.

Irfan Sheik expressed his concern on the changes in the value system of the youth of today. He also congratulated Pushker on the launch of the book.

While, Anand Bhushan said that the book has been launched for children and general public who want to know more about Commonwealth Games.

Rama Kant, while addressing the audience, said that the sports revolution has started in India and soon every state will have a budget for sports. He concluded that the youth-related books should be published as this book is one amongst them.

Another book on the Games was a book by National Book Trust, India, titled Quest for Olympic Gold: Strategies for Excellence written by Arun Kumar Pandya under its General series. The book, which was commissioned on the occasion of the Commonwealth Games at Delhi starting October 3, 2010, was made available to the buyers at the NBT Book Shop at its Vasant Kunj headquarters and the Asaf Ali Road during the Commonwealth Games.

Considering the fact that India has one of the largest human resources in the world, our rather dismal status among the sports playing nations has understandably remained one of our biggest national disappointments. After all, what ails Indian sports and what can be the way ahead to stake a respectable claim in the international sports arena? The book seeks to discuss this all in a frank manner while delineating the roles of various stakeholders like the state and central governments including the Sports Authority of India, Indian Olympic Association, National Sports Federations, Media etc. In the backdrop of the concrete achievements of placing adequate world class sports infrastructure for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010 and the euphoria, both good and bad, associated with the event, the present book takes stock of the required groundwork that have been done and further needs to be done in the country’s quest to earn a rich haul of gold medals at the Mecca of all sporting events—the Olympics.

The author Arun Kumar Pandya, (IAS, batch 1957, Madhya Pradesh cadre), has held various responsible posts in the state government as well as at the centre retiring as secretary to the Department of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt. of India and director-general, Sports Authority of India (SAI) in the year 1992.