t was a family affair at the 21 edition of the Delhi Book Fair on Sunday, with visitors shopping for books in the air-conditioned environs of the exhibition halls at Pragati Maidan.
Browsing through the numerous stalls set up by publishers were a number of children accompanied by their parents, mostly picking up books that act as educational aids. When tired of all the searching, they would find a corner of the hall, sit on the floor and have an impromptu picnic surrounded by all the books. It was a Sunday spent trying to inculcate the habit of reading beyond what is prescribed by the school curriculum.
“I have come here with my children to search for something different that simplifies learning. My son is a slow learner. Last year, I picked up some books on alternative teaching methods and those books helped. I am looking for publishers not available at the neighbourhood book store,” said Mitali, a mother of two children.
This year the focus of the fair is on skill development, which is in tune with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national campaign, and there is even a special enclosure to display books on the theme.
Although many stalls have books that help people pick up skills like cooking and other do-it-yourself books, the fair seems to have not done anything new for visitors looking to develop a new skill.
“I came to the fair expecting to find special sections dedicated to the theme, but I soon realised I would have to browse a lot to find books on the theme at the regular stalls. The skill development pavilion has a lot of text about the initiative written on the wall and books inside a glass case that you cannot touch. It does not guide you to discover any new skill. I am disappointed,” says Mohit Bisht, while posing for a photo outside the stall.
The fair also has concurrent events, the 17th Stationery Fair, and the Office Automation and Corporate Gift Fair. It has 215 participants, participation from China and a number of events for children, discussions and launches. Ancillary activities include book releases, seminars, painting competition, storytelling and award functions. Bhartiya Jnanpith will organise a literary programme and a workshop on library science will be organised by the Ranganathan Research Centre Circle.
Author talks include Marcus du Sautoy by LIS British Council; How to Crack Aptitude/GD&PI and Learning 360: Bridging the Gap between the Tutor and Students by Disha Publications; Health Awareness through Acupressure by International Institute of Alternative Sciences, and nukkad nataks on theme like child abuse/ drugs and narcotics.
While many enjoyed their visit, some were left disappointed. Many felt that at a time when bookshops were shutting down and almost every title was available online, the fair did not offer anything new and has been the same for many years.
“I came expecting to meet some authors or to participate in some discussions on Sunday afternoon, but there was none of that. I glanced at the event schedule at the activities over the next few days, but noting caught my attention. The organisers should take a cue from the way events like the Jaipur Literature Festival are organised and make the event more festive. Even tables that have pick any for Rs.100 offerings failed to excite me,” says Anjul Kukreja, an avid book-lover.
The fair is on till September 6 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.
