31st Imphal Book Fair begins
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 15 2024: The 31st edition of the Imphal Book Fair has kicked off at the State Central Library at Keishampat today.

The 10-day fair is being organised by the State Central Library Imphal in association with Raja Rammohan Roy Library Foundation, Kolkata.

Manipur University Vice Chancellor Prof N Lokendra, Art and Culture Commissioner M Joy, Language Planning and Implementation Director L Radhakanta attended the inauguration event as presidium members.

21 local publishers and 11 from outside the State have as many as 72 book stalls opened in the fair.

A wide range of books of different genres are available in the stalls and a 15 percent discount will be given on all books in the fair, said RK Urmila, Chief Librarian.

The book fair will also have various programmes including release of books, interaction programmes between readers and authors, career counselling and "Meet the folk artists" etc.

Speaking at the opening event today, MU VC Prof N Lokendra said the book fair is a good opportunity and a platform for readers and the student community.

"In the last 20 years, Manipur's intellectual community has grown bigger.

This is a healthy sign.

Many new writers have emerged and the reading community has grown in size.

A strong reading community will help bring development in all spheres," Professor N Lokendra said.

He encouraged people to visit the book fair and inculcate a healthy reading habit.

Art and Culture Commissioner M Joy said the objective of the book fair is to promote library movement and encourage people, especially youths and student community to develop reading habits and broaden their horizons.

The fair will provide a platform to readers and students to interact with publishers and writers, he said.

Encouraging students to visit the fair and buy books, he urged teachers to focus on instilling a good reading habit among students.

50 percent of a teacher's job is done when he or she instills in students a good reading habit, Joy said.

He further stated that a major chunk of the visitors in the fair are parents accompanying their children.

While this is good for parents are encouraging children to buy books and read, Joy said, girls seem to be more interested in books than boys.

Girls buy books more often than boys.

Majority of buyers at the fair are girls, he said.

Language Planning and Implementation Director, L Radhakanta encouraged students to visit the fair and join the varieties of programmes that have been lined up to benefit them.

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