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Tripura's 44th Agartala Book Fair Opens with "Vande Mataram" Theme

The 44th Agartala Book Fair, the second-largest in eastern India, has commenced for a 13-day run at the Hapania International Fair Ground. Chief Minister Manik Saha inaugurated the event, urging people to gift books and highlighting the fair's global reputation over 44 years. Notably, booksellers from Bangladesh are absent for the second consecutive year due to the political situation, though participants from Kolkata, Guwahati, and Delhi are present. The fair, themed "Vande Mataram" to mark the national song's 150th anniversary, features over 183 stalls, free bus services, and a lineup of cultural performances and literary events.

Key Points: 44th Agartala Book Fair Begins, 2nd Largest in East India

  • 183+ book stalls set up
  • "Vande Mataram" 150th anniversary theme
  • Free bus services for visitors
  • Cultural events & Kavi Sammelan scheduled
3 min read

Bibliomania grips Tripura as 44th Agartala Book Fair begins

The 13-day 44th Agartala Book Fair, featuring 183+ stalls and cultural events, begins in Tripura with a "Vande Mataram" theme, though Bangladesh participants remain absent.

"Everyone should read good books instead of wasting time. - Chief Minister Manik Saha"

Agartala, Jan 2

Bibliomania gripped Tripura as the 13-day-long 44th Agartala Book Fair, the second-largest book fair in eastern India after the Kolkata Book Fair, began at the Hapania International Fair Ground on the outskirts of the capital city on Friday.

In view of the unrest following political changes in Bangladesh, no booksellers or publishers from the neighbouring country have participated in the annual Agartala Book Fair since last year.

A senior official said that the Agartala Book Fair started in 1981, and since then, almost every year, either publishers or booksellers from Bangladesh have participated in the annual semi-trade book festival.

Organised by the Information and Cultural Affairs (ICA) Department, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha inaugurated the 44th Agartala Book Fair, which will continue until January 14.

In his address, Saha urged people to give valuable books as gifts to their loved ones instead of flowers or other presents on various occasions, including social events.

"Television, mobile phones and social media are taking up much of our time. Everyone should read good books instead of wasting time," the Chief Minister said.

He said that booksellers and publishers from Bangladesh have been unable to participate in the Agartala Book Fair over the past two years due to the situation in their country.

Saha, who holds the ICA portfolio, said that over the past 44 years, the Agartala Book Fair has earned a good reputation worldwide.

ICA Department's Director Bimbisar Bhattacharya said that as the country is observing the 150th anniversary of the national song, the theme of this year's Book Fair is "Vande Mataram".

He said that more than 183 stalls, including a large number of stalls by outside booksellers and publishers, were set up in this year's fair.

During the next 13 days, 'Kavi Sammelan' (poets' conference), various dance and cultural performances, discussions on a variety of subjects, quiz competitions, exhibitions, besides the publication of hundreds of books, will be held," Bhattacharya said.

He said that to facilitate book lovers and participants, the government has arranged free bus services to and from the Book Fair from various parts of Agartala every day till 9 p.m.

According to the official, like in previous years, booksellers and publishers from Kolkata, Guwahati, and Delhi participated in this year's book fair apart from local publishing houses.

In last year's Agartala Book Fair, books worth Rs 1.53 crore were sold, and over 1,700 singers, dancers and performers participated in various cultural programmes and events, the official stated.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
It's a real shame that our friends from Bangladesh can't participate. The Agartala fair always had a unique flavor with their stalls. Hope the situation improves and the cross-border cultural exchange resumes soon. The CM's point about gifting books is spot on.
R
Rohit P
Rs 1.53 crore in sales last year! That's impressive for a book fair. Shows that people in Tripura still value reading. The lineup of cultural events with Kavi Sammelan sounds fantastic. More states should promote such initiatives.
S
Sarah B
As someone who visited the Kolkata Book Fair, it's great to see Eastern India fostering such a strong literary culture. The free bus service is a thoughtful touch for accessibility. Wishing all the book lovers in Agartala a wonderful time!
V
Vikram M
While I appreciate the effort, I wish there was more online promotion and maybe a virtual catalog. Many of us who can't travel to Agartala would love to support the publishers. Still, a 13-day event is a massive undertaking. Respect.
M
Meera T
The Chief Minister is right about screens taking our time. We need to bring back the habit of reading physical books, especially for our children. A book fair is a perfect family outing. Jai Hind and Vande Mataram! 🇮🇳

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