Jaydip Chakrabarti
Agartala, February 20, 2019: If Agartala Book Fair this year is otherwise a bit glum and down in its traditional spirit, some attractions, at least come, from an unexpected source – glittering transparent balloons.
As expected these transparent balloons , flying out of a long stock along with those usual colorful ones draw the crowds of kids and toddlers – even young couples –around them. There are some four or five balloon-wallas in the fair ground and the parents-under-pressure and the newlyweds seem to be in a mood to happily buy them, usually in twos. They would not mind to fork out even for Rs 100 each, after a brief bargaining though.
Once the balloons are in their hand the kids now get ready to enter into their world books-mostly Comics. Clutching the a pair of glittering balloons, one small boy of six or seven is found bewildered at ‘efficiency’ of a book seller who briefs him about almost a dozen English story books.
“Wow, uncle you know so many stories. You are a nice story teller – have you read all the books – wish I could have such a big library”, exclaimed the boy. And the elders around in the stall enjoy- as the story teller book seller and the boy interact.
“Every book fair is different and unique in every sense and essence – this is the charm of Book Fair, one cannot predict how it will emerge”, says one veteran writer while chatting with others sitting in front of a bookstall. This year crowd – during the last four days – is neither heavy nor sparse – this has left space for groups of people to assemble in front of their favourite stalls and to get busy with discussions on multi-facet issues and topics – including that of books,music , or for that matterPulwama-latest being the tone and tenor of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s speech today.
“Book Fair unites me with strangers with a keen knack for literary works – and this time, I am happy to meet some people across the border and get some real inputs relating to present societal condition of Bangladesh”, a much known writer says requesting anonymity.
The overall spirit of the Book Fair may be slightly depressing this year but it did not miss the tradition of discussions and debates. While some very young students are found to be singing popular albums- with girls playing Guitars, a group of youths – students of NIT, Agartala – are seen discussing Pulwama tragedy. Listen carefully and you will know how they apart from studies are also keen observer of world affairs – backed by rational thinking and wide spectrum of information.
“We can certainly show bravery in social media, however, a government needs to act with lots of constraints and restraints. It has to think over multiple consequences before taking a serious decision like going for war or conducting coveted operations”, opined one student. She receives supports as well as counter arguments from her friends and the discussion continues until one of them got curious about exploring how a transparent balloon, fixed top of a stick, glitter. Quickly, the youths change topic of discussion and focused on glittering balloons – and you have to admit, Book Fair is indeed unique in its style, in tradition – and always refreshing, just as smell of new books !!! #BookFair (Courtesy: Tripura Times)
