The Tripura Government has taken initiatives to hold a book fair in sub-divisions prior to conducting the 40th State-Level Agartala Book Fair. The Information & Cultural Affairs (ICA) Department has taken the initiative to organize a book fair in 10-12 sub-divisions in the state if not in 23 sub-divisions. The fair will be jointly organized by DM, SDM, Municipal Council and Panchayat Samitis, said ICA Minister Sushanta Chowdhury.
Attending the first preparatory meeting for the State Level Agartala Book Fair on Tuesday, Chowdhury also said, a meeting will be held soon regarding conducting book fairs in sub-divisions. He said that the issues will be discussed with Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister in the next few days and decide the location for the book fair and other related issues after consulting with the Book Fair Committee.
The ICA Minister also said, considering the Covid-19 situation the state government has decided to offer a special discount to booksellers this year. Apart from that, assistance will be provided including exemption of stall charges. This government stands by the publishers and booksellers. Keeping women empowerment in mind, the initiative has been taken to felicitate women with two special awards in the upcoming fair for their special contribution to the state and the society.
He said, the public has a kind of emotion connected with the book fair.
UDC Chairman Tinku Roy suggested conducting the book fair at International Mela Campus, Hapania and also suggested ideas for public gatherings at the location.
First Secretary of Bangladesh High Commission S.M Asadujjaman in the meeting said, Bangladesh put up two stalls in the previous book fair. If everything goes well, Bangladesh publishers will be taking part in the upcoming book fair as well.
Former Vice-Chancellor of Tripura University and Chairman of State Higher Education Council Dr. Arunudoy Saha and President of Agartala Press Club and senior journalist Subal Kumar De spoke about the objective of the book fair.
Vice Chairman of State Level Advisory Committee Subhash Deb also suggested for conducting the book fair at International Mela Campus, Hapania. He also suggested organising sub-division level book fair.
On the other hand, social activist Subrata Chakraborty suggested a few ideas and also suggested for conducting the book fair at International Mela Campus, Hapania. He even suggested theme of the upcoming book fair ‘My Tripura, My Pride’.
ICA Director Ratan Biswas delivered welcome speech and briefed about the upcoming book fair and its committee. This year also it was suggested to form organising committee, steering committee and sub-committees, Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma being the patron & chairman of the organising committee, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Pratima Bhowmik being the Advisor.
High-ranking officials and persons related to literature, culture and media are included as well. On behalf of Publisher’s Guild, Book Sellers and Publisher’s Association Subhabrata Deb, Rakhal Majumder and others spoke in the meeting.
Other dignitaries present in the preparatory meeting were MLA Mimi Majumder, AMC Mayor Dilip Amjumder, Deputy Mayor Monika Das Duna, Secretary of ICA department Dr. P.K Goyal, Vice Chancellor of Tripura University Dr. Ganga Prasad Prasain, Vice Chancellor Dr. Satyadeo Poddar and officials from different departments.