Teachers visit the World Book Fair 2023

Teachers visit the World Book Fair 2023

Book fairs play a great role in promoting the reading habit amongst people of all age groups. They play a pivotal role in reiterating the might of the pen and the printed word.The New Delhi World Book Fairhas come to be recognised as one of the biggest book bonanzas keenly awaited by students, teachers, scholars, authors, intellectuals, librarians and book lovers. Apart from promoting literacy and the reading habit, especially among children and the youth, the fair presents a vast panorama of Indian books on a wide range of subjects.

The 31st edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair 2023 was held from 25 February to 5 March 2023 at Pragati Maidan.The theme of the NDWBF 2023 was Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, dedicated to providing a forum for the advancement of progressive perspectives on the socio cultural, political, and economic character of India.

Ten teachers of The Indian School, along with Vice Principal, Dr Anu Singh, librarian Ms Tarannum Athar and librarian of The Indian School Second Shift, Ms Harshita Sharma,visited the book fair on 1 March 2023.

As we entered the theme pavilion, we caught sight of the spectacular display that was dedicated to the theme, Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsava, celebrating 75 years of Indias Independence and the completion of 50 years of the New Delhi World Book Fair.This year, the book fair had named France as its guest of honour.

The fair was attended by 16 French authors, includingAnnie Ernaux, the winner of the 2022 Nobel Prize for Literature, who marked her presence on the inaugural day of the event. Around 40 countries and international organisations participated in the grand event. Apart from foreign publishers, there were exhibitors from all over India, including Penguin, Rupa, Random House, Scholastic, Diamond Books, Vishv Books, Kohli Book Distributors, BPB Publications and Advik Publications.

We marked our presence at the different stalls like those of Sahitya Akademi, National Book Trust, NCERT, Motilal Banarsidas and CBT. A chance encounter with Mr Aabid Surti in one of the stalls, lit up the day for us! Mr Aabid Surti, is a famous cartoonist and social activist. Mr Surti shared with us how he is actively engaged with a water conservation programme in various residential societies of Mumbai. It is all about fixing the leaking taps, he said. Mr Surtis autograph on the books that we bought, was a bonus indeed! The international stands like Simon & Schuster and Hachette were great crowd pullers too, thronged by book lovers from all walks of life.

The book fair had some innovative activities, especially for children. Yuva Corner, Childrens Author Corner, NEP Pavilionand many such exciting corners had children seen immersed in the world of books.

It proved to be an eventful and blissful morning for all of us. We counted carefully the packets of our incredible purchases as we exited the gate, happily waiting to transfer the colourful bundles of magic, to the welcoming shelves of the School library.