New Delhi, Feb 14: The 16th New Delhi World Book Fair, the largest book event of the Afrio-Asian region, opens here today with 17 countries displaying their latest titles for display and sale. This year, the theme of the biennial event, being held in the backdrop of Delhi having been declared by UNESCO as the world book capital, is India's contribution to world civilisation in the field of science and technology, Mr B K Sharma, chairman of National Book Trust (NBT), the organiser of the event, said at a press conference here today. Illustrating this theme, an exclusive theme pavilion will be set up displaying books in Indian languages and audio-visual material based on it. A two-day international seminar on the theme will be the highlight of the nine-day fair, to be inaugurated by Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, he said, adding that celebrated author V S Naipaul will be the chief guest at the inaugural function.
Mr Sharma said there would also be a special pavilion displaying 1,500 outstanding children's books recently published in major indian languages. A seminar on children's science books in India will be held on February 21.
The entry to the fair, spread over an area of 32,546 sq. metres and engaging hall no 8 to 14, will be free. The NBT chairman said that during the fair, several seminars, book releases and cultural events had been organised.
Bureau Report