Delhi Book Fair 1998

Citation

Satija, M. (1999), "Delhi Book Fair 1998", Asian Libraries, Vol. 8 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/al.1999.17308dab.003

Delhi Book Fair 1998

Delhi Book Fair 1998Information provided by M.P. Satija

The Federation of Indian Publishers, in collaboration with the India Trade Promotion Organisation, organised the Fourth Delhi Book Fair from 8-16 August 1998 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The fair was inaugurated by Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, Minister of Human Resource Development. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Joshi expressed serious concern over the gradual decline in reading habits which was evident from the dwindling number of libraries. Even students read little beyond their syllabi as they devoted most of their time to watching television. Dr Joshi spoke of the importance of books and the long tradition of book writing and reading in the country from the Vedic period. He pointed out that India has been a pioneer not only in books about philosophy but also in subjects which are highly technical and scientific. Dr Joshi also called for the preservation of about 30 million rare manuscripts and the holding of a manuscript fair. Efforts were required to preserve and reach out the manuscripts to the people as these were finding their way out of the country, he added.

Books were on display at 444 stalls put up by 250 participants including those from Korea and Pakistan. A number of government-aided publishing houses also participated in the fair. A number of seminars and other literary activities were offered by various organisations, prominent among them a seminar by the Medical Library Association of India and the Association of Government Librarians and Information Specialists on "Library and information education through distance learning and its relevance in the IT environment"; a seminar by the Publishers and Booksellers Guild, Calcutta, on "The role of publications in a multilingual society"; a panel discussion by CAPEXIL on "How to promote the export of Indian books and journals effectively"; a seminar by the Ranganathan Research Trust; a symposium by Sahitya Akademi on "Indian writing in English and other languages"; a workshop on the use of electronics in publishing by Afro-Asian Book Council; a seminar by the Punjabi Academy on Punjabi literature; a Punjabi cultural evening by the Punjabi Academy; and a series of book releases and book launches. The other highlights of the fair were the Freedom to Publish Award giving ceremony and the presentation of Awards for Excellence in Book Production, both organised by the FIP.

The fair, which ended on 16 August 1998, drew a big response with thousands of visitors, book lovers, booksellers, buyers from India and abroad, librarians, and attending. The fair was extensively covered by the media, and a number of newspapers published special supplements to commemorate the Book Fair. The fifth Dehli Book Fair will be held from 14-22 August 1999.