The 20th edition of the Neyveli Book Fair is attracting book-lovers from far and near.
Opened recently by Sarat Kumar Acharya CMD, NLC India Ltd, at the Book Fair Grounds, Neyveli, the annual fair marks both a celebration of books and a coming together of publishers, readers and other stakeholders in the publishing world.
This year’s event featuring about 160 renowned publishers is expected to attract an estimated 3 lakh visitors from all walks of life like.
NLCIL is organising the book fair for the 20th successive year with the aim of promoting the culture of reading among schoolchildren and the public.
In his inaugural address, Mr. Acharya said that apart from regular activities, it has become a tradition for the NLCIL to host the book fair on a grand scale every year. The event serves as a knowledge hub to the people from all walks of life.
Emphasising the importance of book reading, he said that reading at all times and in all ages has been a great source of knowledge and helps one to see the present in relation to the past and the future and thus helps to develop a historical perspective.
Though with rapid technological developments, many readers have started to replace books with e books for storage and access advantages, there are still many who have resisted changing their reading habits and retained their love for the original book.
NLCIL director (mines) Subir Das, NLC functional directors V. Thangapandian and P. Selvakumar, R.Vikraman and Chief Vigilance Officer T. VenkataSubramanian participated.
The inaugural was followed by the staging of Colours of India by Anna Varghese from Abinaya Natyalaya, Neyveli.
As part of the birth centenary celebrations of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, to propagate his philosophy NLCIL has put up a special stall at the book fair.
Eminent personalities are expected to participate in the 10-day knowledge festival. Literary discourses, debates, and plays will be staged every day by renowned artistes. The knowledge festival will continue till July 9.
