Book festivals are important in making the younger generation of today more constructive, District Collector K. Rajamani said at the inauguration of Coimbatore Book Festival here on Friday.
Expressing concern over the ‘enmity and inequalities’ among the younger generation, he urged the teachers to encourage the habit of reading among students.
R. Ramamurthy, president, Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISSIA), said that books written in various Indian languages will be available at the fair.
A variety of events such as contests for school and college students and conferences will be held as part of the festival, he said.
B. Vijayanand, chairman of the book festival, said that three young authors will be felicitated and Tamil author Vannanilavan will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.
A total of 250 book stalls from 150 publishers are on display, he said, and added that government buses that ply via Avinashi Road will stop at CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex till July 28.
