Patna Book Fair to begin from November 7

Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi will inaugurate Patna Book Fair (PBF) on November 7. The 12-day annual fair organised by Centre for Readership Development (CRD) at Gandhi Maidan in the state capital will see around 250 publishers from different parts of the country putting up 700 stalls.

The theme of the fair will be 'child awareness and representation of women'. Several cultural events will also be organised on the occasion.

PBF president HL Gulati said, "Last year over 7 lakh book lovers visited the fair and apart from institutional buying, books worth more than Rs 5 crore were sold on cash payment. This year we expect more visitors and better sales."

Gulati said this time the book fair will be bigger and better with several foreign publishers also setting up stalls. He said proper security arrangements and hygiene facilities will be put in place. Benches will be installed for visitors who feel the need to rest.

"Keeping in view of the recent stampede on the Dushehra Day, we have decided to have three emergency gates for the fair venue. Private security personnel will be deployed inside, as well as, outside the PBF premises. Fire brigade will remain throughout the fair.

PBF secretary Amarendra Kumar Jha said the Sangeet Natak Academy has decided to bring famous artists from different parts of the country including folk dancers and singers Teejan Bai of Chhattisgarh, Purisai Kannappa (Tamil Nadu), Manzoor Mir (Jammu and Kashmir). The artists will perform every evening.

Several social issues will also be raised and debated at different forums at the book fair. CRD president Ratneshwar said the fair has been dedicated to famous authors Robin Shaw Pushp and Madhukar Singh, who died recently. Famous art movies in Hindi, Tamil, Bengali and Maithili languages will also be screened.