24th World Book Fair opens with China as guest country

Union Human Resource Minister Smriti Irani today inaugurated the 24th edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair with China as guest of honour country as both nations seek to deepen their ties through cooperation in publishing.
The nine-day fair, touted as the largest in Asia is hosting about 30 countries and a series of programmes including panel discussions, dramas, classical and folk dances, workshops, discussions, authors' meets, conferences, seminars and cultural programmes have been lined up.
Talking about the India-China relationship since ancient times, she said that there is a mention of Chinese silk dress in Arthashastra which depicts how Indian history finds resonance of relationship with China. She hoped that both the countries will not only exchange culture and knowledge but also strengthen ties.

"I believe that 50 publishing houses and 9 eminent authors bring with them to this World Book Fair around 5,000 titles so that through this exchange our people across both nations can be enriched," she said.
Referring to the windy day, the minister said she was elated that the two countries are seeing a "wind of change" in their bilateral cultural exchanges.
China was invited to be guest country after the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping here last year where he signed an memorandum of understanding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"During the visit of President Xi Jinping an MoU was signed with China's role in WBF and I am happy to note that promise that we made through paper has fructified in person," Irani said.

Referring to the growth of publishing business the minister said, "Today we celebrate the exponential growth of the publishing business both in India and China."
Eminent author S L Bhyrappa who was present at the inaugural function said, "The Vedas are the first record of culture not only of India but also the world."
Elucidating the role that the epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata have played in enriching the culture of India, Bhyrappa said, "The poets, writers, artists and scholars have been inspired heavily from the scriptures. Indian dance forms like Kathakali, Bharatnatyam, Odissi rely on these scriptures for theme. They have become the criteria of dance and music."

Emphasising on the importance of publishing exchanges between China and India, Sun Shoushan, Vice Minister the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of China (SAPPRFT) said, "As one of the key international book fairs the NDWBF has set up an important platform for cultural exchanges of Indian classic and contemporary works which is now going on smoothly."
Chinese ambassador to India Le Yucheng said that with the coming of "China fever" in India and "India fever" in China, publishing has become an important means to promote cultural and people-to-people exchange between the two countries.
This year the fair has introduced a special 'Navlekhan' programme which seeks to promote and publish young authors under the age of 40 writing in Indian languages.

Irani said while this year 16 new titles are being published in 6 regional languages, by next year she assured that books in 22 languages recognised by the Constitution of India will be published.
Tickets to the fair being held at the sprawling Pragati Maidan will be sold from 9 AM till 5 PM at 47 stations of the Delhi Metro network from January 9-17.
"I am happy to know that this WBF gives free invite and entry to children in school uniform, senior citizens and the physically challenged," Irani said.
She also said that the children from various states of India including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Manipur, Assam among others with select photographers would be sent as shodh yatris to foreign countries like Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and their memoir will be published in the form of books.

Meanwhile, over 1,000 books in different Indian languages, ranging from philosophy, language to literature will be showcased in the theme pavilion whose theme programme is titled 'Vividh Bharat'.
Efforts have been made to show the journey of books from the palm leaves stage to the electronic era besides featuring some of the most new and exciting writings that have appeared across the world.
Over 100 CEOs of various publishing houses and sorganisations in the book trade will come together to share and exchange ideas about Indian and international book trade.
A special Children's Pavilion offers various activities
The pavilion also showcases some of the best of recent publications for children from across the country.

Other attractions include a selfie corner for photobuffs.
Books comprise the main part of the China pavilion, which is spread over 1200 square kilometers at the Hall no 7 of Pragati Maidan.
The highlights of the China pavilion include display of traditional Chinese garden style, showcase of paper making, publishing and printing in ancient China, a daily live show of wood block printing and a china tea cultural show.
24 illustration works by prize winning young Chinese artists will be on display.
Cultural exchanges between the two countries will be showcased in an India-China cultural contacts photo exhibition of over 150 photos.

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Meanwhile, at a Sino-Indian Publishing event, the old cultural links between India and China and the need to enhance cooperation between the publishers of two countries were also discussed.
"Literature and books unite two diverse societies like India and China, and strengthen humanity in a way which can not be imagined," Chairman, National Book Trust, Baldeo Bhai Sharma, said.
He was addressing a gathering of Indian and Chinese publishers.
Extending his well wishes for efforts of publishers towards exchange of literature and books between the two countries, Sharma said, it will also help in "instilling values and strengthening of the two societies."

Chinese Vice Minister of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT), Sun Shoushan also attended the programme.