Kolkata Book Fair organizers to offer discounts to attract

To boost the book sales, the organizers of 40th edition of Kolkata Book Fair, scheduled to begin this month, will employ marketing measures, including discounts and lottery.
"There has been an effect of the digital medium on the sale of books. Many people see books at the store and then go and buy them online. What we are trying to do is to bring more people closer to books and increase sales," organizer Tridib Chatterjee told reporters here today.
People come to the book fair and have a good time but we also want them to buy books, Chatterjee, general secretary of the Publishers and Booksellers Guild, said.

Bolivia is the theme country this year at the fair which will be held from January 27 to February 7.
Bolivian author Magela Baudoin and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be present at the official inauguration function on January 25 before the fair begins.
The organizers have also tied up with app-based cab provider Ola who will keep few cars available at the Milan Mela grounds, where the Book Fair will be held, for the convenience of the visitors.

Chatterjee said there will also be a free shuttle bus service from Park Circus to the fair ground.
Five halls of the fair have been named after five authors who passed away last year - Bijoya Ray, Amitabha Chowdhury, Utpal Kr Basu, Badal Basu and Suchitra Bhattacharya.

Coinciding with the book fair will be the third edition of the three-day Kolkata Literature Festival from February 4.