Rare treat for book lovers

Books represent the perennial genre of literature that cater to all age groups across domains.  The New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF), organised by the National Book Trust, India (NBT) has become one of the largest book events in the Afro-Asian region and has acquired a high reputation among the international publishing industry. The 24th edition of the NDWBF will be heldfrom January 9-17 in the national Capital.

Spread over an area of 36,000 sq.m, and with over 1000 exhibitors including foreign exhibitors from about 30 countries, the Fair will have 1800 stalls spread across 10 Halls, viz. Hall no 6, 7 (A to E), 8 to 11, 12, 12A, 14 and 18 of Pragati Maidan. 

Hall 6 and Halls 8 to 11 will have publishers of books on General knowledge and Trade, Science and Technology and Social Sciences. Hall 14 will house the publishers of books for children and educational books. In addition, the children’s pavilion will also be put up there. Hall 12- 12A will house publishers from Hindi and all Indian languages. 

Hall 18 will have publishers from miscellaneous genre. Hall 7E will have the theme pavilion and Hall 7(A,B, C and D) will have the foreign exhibitors. This year, China is the Guest of Honour country at NDWBF 2016. A large delegation of over 250 members from China, including publishers, illustrators, authors, literary agents, is participating. The guest country programme will inaugurate a new era of literary exchanges between the two countries. Located in Hall 7(A,B and C which is the Foreign pavilion), the China pavilion, spread over an area of 1200 sq.m., will have discussions and seminars, exchange of copyright, translation sessions, workshops, book releases, literary programmes and much more. Vividh Bharat-The Cultural Heritage of India is the theme of the Fair this year. 

The specially designed theme pavilion in Hall 7E will host a series of discussions on various aspects of India’s cultural heritage. There will be live performances and film screenings in addition to a vivid display of around 1000 books on philosophy, knowledge, languages and literature from Bhojpatras to e-books.

Although being a B2C fair, the NDWBF has two B2B forums where publishers from across the world exchange rights of the business deals related to publishing.

The children’s pavilion in Hall 14 is another attraction of the fair where children throng to participate in interactive sessions, competitions, fun activities, storytelling sessions, meet the author/artists programmes, etc.

The Lal Chowk– a beautifully designed amphitheatre near Hall 6, will hold daily shows of cultural programmes deputing various art forums from across India. 

The Fair will also showcase the Navalekhan Mala series of books, which is the collection of new writings in literature for the benefit of readers. 

This is an initiative of the National Book Trust, India in order to promote new and upcoming writers and provide them a platform to showcase their work.