As book fair nears close, Bharat Mandapam thrums with life
Sees surge in footfall, visits by Union Ministers, MPs, packed halls on 8th day of the event
Even as the New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) 2026 edges towards its conclusion, with the last day on Sunday, the energy within Bharat Mandapam shows no sign of fading. On its eighth day, the fair witnessed an overwhelming surge of visitors, with packed halls, long queues at book stalls and a vibrant calendar of discussions reflecting India’s intellectual, cultural and creative diversity.
Adding to the buzz were visits by senior Union ministers, state leaders, Members of Parliament and top military officials, underscoring the fair’s growing stature as a national platform for ideas. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan toured several halls, including the Theme Pavilion, “Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @ 75”. The pavilion showcased India’s military evolution through curated exhibits, highlighting courage, strategic foresight and landmark campaigns that shaped the nation’s defence legacy.
The ministers also visited the Guest of Honour Country Pavilion of Qatar and interacted with Hindi publishers, reflecting the fair’s multilingual and global character. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann explored the National Book Trust (NBT-India) stall, engaging with publications celebrating literature, culture and learning.
A special highlight was the visit of Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, who toured the Theme Pavilion, including the Param Vir Chakra Gallery and exhibits on leadership in combat. He later visited the children’s pavilion, Kidz Express, where he distributed books among young readers, reinforcing the fair’s emphasis on nurturing reading habits from an early age.
Several other dignitaries, including Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, Rajya Sabha MP Radha Mohan Das Agrawal, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta, former MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe and spiritual speaker Jaya Kishori, were also present, drawing crowds and sparking conversations across halls.
One of the intellectually rich sessions was a discussion on “Shatabdi Yatra: Veer Vitthalbhai Patel”, a book published by the Delhi Legislative Assembly marking 100 years of India’s parliamentary journey. Speakers reflected on the life of Vitthalbhai Jhaverbhai Patel, India’s first elected Speaker, highlighting values of sacrifice, democratic spirit and institutional integrity.
Concerns were also raised about the need for better archival preservation of India’s democratic history, with calls for digital archives, museums and interpretation centres to connect younger generations with the nation’s past.
International cultural exchange took centre stage with the first-ever public appearance of a Japanese manga artist in India. Celebrated creator Yoshitoki ?ima mesmerised audiences during a live sketching session organised by the Japan Foundation. As she illustrated characters from her globally acclaimed series “To Your Eternity”, ?ima spoke about creativity, experimentation and personal experiences shaping her art, forging a deep cultural connection between India and Japan.
The fair also explored the relevance of ancient Indian wisdom in contemporary contexts. In a session titled “Ancient Minds, Modern Wars”, military experts discussed texts like Panchatantra, Mahabharata and Arthashastra, highlighting their enduring insights into strategy, diplomacy and human behaviour.
Poetry and spirituality found a strong voice during a special session celebrating women poets where verses on identity, devotion, loss and resilience resonated deeply with audiences. Jaya Kishori addressed students on discipline, mental balance and purpose, urging them to seek clarity beyond competition.
Discussions on Indian Knowledge Systems further broadened the fair’s scope, with scholars examining ancient scientific traditions, sustainable practices and folk art forms as foundations of modern innovation.
