Book fair fetches Rs 42 lakh in two days

Gagan K Teja

Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 21

In a major boost for Punjabi University’s Publication Bureau, the sale of books on the first two days of the four-day book fair has crossed the Rs 42-lakh mark. It is being seen as a big achievement for the university’s department as it was facing a lot of difficulties in carrying out its activities when the university is reeling under various financial constraints.

Books worth Rs 10 lakh have been purchased by SP Singh Oberoi, managing trustee of Sarbat Da Bhala Trust. The Trust is going to open libraries in around 12,000 villages across the state and these books will be given to these libraries. The Trust has announced to purchase more books worth Rs 40 lakh for the same.

The American Sikh Organisation has purchased books worth Rs 5.50 lakh, which will be distributed among students of different government schools. Moreover, the Guru Gobind Singh Chair established in the university has also purchased books worth R 2 lakh.

To generate additional revenue for the university, the authorities have decided to sell its books online through e-commerce sites. These sites will be charging 10 per cent commission for the sale of every book.

At present, the publication department has around 5,200 titles covering a number of subjects in English, Punjabi and other languages, but the profit is still only about Rs 50 lakh per year. Private publishers who only have about 100 titles are earning in crores.

Prof Sarabjinder Singh, in charge of the bureau, said they had already received an order of 2,500 books from across the world and many enquiries were pouring in.