Books written by him go out of stock in Almora

BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, July 31

A sudden increase in the sale of books written by former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam has been witnessed in Almora and Nainital in Kumaon as people paid tribute to the departed soul at various functions. Tributes were also paid to Kalam at several institutions, organisations, schools, and colleges.

“Almora town remained completely closed today to pay tributes to APJ Abdul Kalam. People remembered Kalam’s contribution to the Uday Shankar Natya Academy the building of which he had sanctioned in 2002,” said Deepak Verma, convener of the condolence meeting organized by businessmen at the Nagar Palika Parishad in Almora town.

Meanwhile, the sale of books written by Kalam increased quickly after his death, and several students had to return disappointed as they could not get books. “I had to return disappointed as the book ‘Wings of fire’ written by Kalam was not available at the bookstall near my home in Haldwani town,” said Apurva Bisht, a student of Class XI1 in Haldwani town.

Booksellers in Haldwani, Nainital and Almora say the demand of books written by Kalam was high even during his lifetime, but it has risen manifold after his death. “I had 20 books written by Kalam in my shop before he died, and now only one is left. I am keeping the last copy for myself,” said Jiwan Bora, owner of a bookstore at the Bareilly road market in Haldwani.

Condolence meetings were also organised in Pithoragarh, Nainital, Haldwani, Rudrapur, Champawat and Tanakpur towns. The Nainital High Court also remained closed for the day.