April 01, 2018: It’s unique, it’s vibrant with youthful enthusiasm – it is time to enjoy 36th Agartala Book Fair in a grand style. In all the previous years, Book Fair was being controlled by a small section of people close to the ruling LF Government. Book Fair, then, was a routine and monotonous affair without any innovative plan. However, the 36th Book Fair which is scheduled to commence from April 2 at Children’s park in Agartala is strikingly different in terms of people’s participation, planning and execution. Students of art college guided by their teachers decorated the approach road with eye-catching art works. “These students were there even during LF regime, but no LF leader ever thought of utilizing their talents”, said a book lover today – one day prior to formal inauguration of the book fair.
Narrating his experience, senior journalist and Executive Editor of Tripura Times, Manas Paul following comment in his Facebook post today : “Road in Agartala city heart is set aflame ..Not by colors but by emotions.. A rare experience. Book Fair was never so colorful”.
Even common people – journalists, political personalities, distinguished personalities, youths of different sections of the society – all gladly and enthusiastically participated in drawing. “The black pitch road has turned into wonderful canvas – all credit goes to young artists”, said a veteran journalist.
Not only the art work, participation of singers and other sorts of artists, the selection of venue, preparations, cultural events or decoration of mela ground — everything is unique and the whole ambiance has turned into a grand festival. The ICA department along with the organizing committee seems to have made best efforts to make the Agartala Book Fair a grand success. With cooperation from all sections of people, the stage is all set to witness Agartala Book Fair- 2018 in a festive mood.
Governor Tathagata Roy will inaugurate the 36th Agartala Book Fair at Children’s Park tomorrow at 5 pm. It will continue till April 13 next. Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb will attend the inaugural ceremony as chief guest while Education minister Ratanlal Nath will share the dais as guest of honour. Besides, AMC Mayor Dr, Prafullajit Sinha and Kolkata-based eminent writer Tilottama Majumder will remain present as special guests.
To organize the Book Fair in style, all preparations have already been done, said Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Deb Verma, chairman of organizing committee. Addressing a press conference at Agartala Press Club, the Dy CM, who will preside over the inaugural ceremony, said the Book Fair will promote the rich cultures of tribal and non-tribal people of Tripura.
“There will be more initiatives to make the Book Fair more attractive in the days to come. Besides initiatives will be made to popularize books,” he said.
Apart from other awards, two new awards- Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Integration Puraskar (for special contribution in society) and Kali Kinkar Debbarma Smrity Puraskar (for special contribution in the field of music) will be introduced this year, he added.
A total of 124 stalls will be opened in the Book Fair — 76 stalls from Tripura, 39 from Kolkata, 2 from New Delhi, 5 from Guwahati, one each from Mumbai and Bangladesh. According to organizers, the book lovers will get flat 10 percent discount on purchase of all books.
For visitors, the Book Fair will remain open from 2 pm to 9 pm (1 pm to 9 pm on holidays). Besides cultural events, there will be seminars, quiz and book release functions during the Book Fair.
The cultural function of opening and closing days will be organized at Children’s Park while the venue of cultural events for the remaining days will be Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan (hall no-2).
