Perceptible shift towards the physical book: ITPO

The Delhi Book Fair is one event which every book lover looks forward to. Safdar Hussain Khan, Sr General Manager, ITPO reveals the reason behind holding the book fair and other plans in store.

The Delhi Book Fair is one event which every book lover looks forward to. The diverse range of books on offer, special discounts, opportunity to meet with littérateurs and other ‘novel’ surprises attract the avid literary enthusiast. The fair is annually organized by India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) in collaboration with Federation of Indian Publishers.In an exclusive chat with Nabila Habib and Shivangi Singh of Spicezee.com, Safdar Hussain Khan, Sr General Manager, ITPO revealed the reason behind holding the book fair and other plans in store.

Q: Where does this year`s book fair stand? Khan: This is the 15th book fair and this year we have about 291 participants. We have lined up several book releases, seminars and conferences. A new initiative this year, to encourage new readers, is the free entry of school children. Students can just come with a written permission from their principal to get free passes! Q: Jaswant Singh’s book on Jinnah has caused quite a controversy. How is the response to it?

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Khan: Jaswant Singh, of course, was the crowd puller. In a seminar to discuss the ban on Jaswant Singh`s book, many illustrious personalities spoke on the topic. From Congress we had Salman Khursheed, from BJP we had DN Chaturvedi. We also had Tusshar Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi`s grandson, speaking in the conference. Q: What’s your opinion on the ban of the book? Khan: The ban is justified only if the book has been read first and if it distorts history, or is communal and anti-national in nature. Banning a book before reading is objectionable. You cannot ban history that is supported by facts and figures. Q: What is the purpose of Delhi Book Fair: Sales or promotion of book reading habits? Khan: The purpose is multiple; it includes trade and awareness as well as encouraging reading habits in the younger generation. As Salman Khursheed said in the conference -‘Books act as a bridge for national integration’. Q: What do you feel is new this time at the book fair? Khan: I sense a feeling of `come back` this time. Over the years, people had shifted their interest more towards Internet. But from this year, there is a perceptible shift towards the physical book. The charm of sitting down with a book in hand has been rediscovered, it seems. Same goes for newspapers- you can browse all the e-papers on your computer, but nothing beats the early morning newspaper perusal with tea! Q: What kind of books are most popular? Khan: According to a survey in a newspaper, self-help books are very popular. Feel good books, cookery books and children`s books are in great demand. And then the stationery section of the fair is very attractive. You come across things which you would not come across in your usual marketing trip - like laptop stands! Q: Books of which publication are selling the most? Khan: Rupa Publications is of course at the top due to Jaswant Singh’s book on Jinnah. Frank Brothers, MotiLal Banarasidas, Geeta Press also sell quite a lot. Q: What are your plans for the next year`s fair? Khan: We are planning to rope in publishers from overseas and a better look of the fair. We would like participation from outside the country for a wider range of exposure. Q: What makes Delhi Book Fair different from other literary festivals? Khan: Here we give more space to the visitor. Here the stress is more on exposure and perusal. Visitors can buy their choice of books and sit around and read. There is ample space for movement as well as resting. The layout and planning of stalls is unique in a way that we have stressed on a passive participation. There is least noise level, and people can pick and choose in peace, without too much hustle and bustle. Q: How has the reception been from the buyers this year? Khan: We have easily crossed the 40,000 visitors` mark. On Sunday we saw a huge crowd turning up - it being a weekend was one cause. Even the rain did not hamper people from visiting!