World book fair offers array of reading delights to avid readers

Anshita Mehra

Advertisement

New Delhi, February 10

The 52nd edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair has unfurled its vibrant literary canvas, offering a comprehensive array of reading delights to avid book aficionados.

From the allure of fiction to the introspection of autobiographies, from the spine-tingling suspense thrillers to the tender allure of romance, and from the explorative realms of young adult literature to the enchanting narratives of children’s books, the fair takes visitors to the world of literary exploration and discovery.

Union Minister opens fair

• Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the New Delhi World Book Fair at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Several dignitaries, including Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador Saleh Eid H. Al-Husseini, were present on Saturday.
• The minister said, “The theme, ‘Multilingual India: A Living Tradition’, celebrates linguistic diversity.”
• He also launched the National Digital Libraries for the ‘All’ app, promoting love for reading. The app caters to children and adolescents with diverse literature options.
• He also unveiled ‘e-Jaadui Pitara,’ an e-learning platform aligned with National Education Policy-2020.
• Pradhan also introduced Braille editions of PM Narendra Modi’s ‘Exam Warriors’.

In an age where books are once again in the limelight, propelled by the burgeoning trends on social media platforms like Instagram and BookTok, attendees at the fair found themselves amidst a plethora of choices.

Khyati, a visitor, eagerly shared her experience, stating, “I knew exactly where I wanted to go and what I wanted to buy.” A notable highlight of this year’s fair is the unveiling of a special edition: ‘The Hachette Book of Indian Detective Fiction’ by Hachette India, featuring an assortment of short detective stories penned by Indian authors.

Riti, managing director of Hachette, underscored the resurgence of interest in the thriller, detective, and mystery genres, along with the revival of the beloved ‘Yellow Book’ series.

Penguin Books also made a significant contribution with a collection of special topic books designed to nurture empathy and understanding among children aged 5 to 12 years.

History enthusiasts found solace in the exhibit hosted by the National Book Trust, which served as a treasure trove of historical literature.

Ashmita, a history teacher, said, “This place is like heaven for me,” as she perused titles such as ‘India’ by Al-Biruni and ‘Rivers of India.’