New Delhi: World Book Fair 2024, a colossal celebration of literature, culture, and intellectual exchangewill be inaugurated on 10 February 2024 by Honourable Minister of Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
Addressing the media Yuvraj Malik, Director National Book Trust India informed today that the much awaited flagship project of the government National Digital Library for the children and adolescents will be unveiled. National Digital Library will make quality books available across geographies, languages, genres and levels, and devices marking significant milestones in the digitalization of literary resources.
Mr. Malik also informed about the "Books for All” initiative taken by National Book Trust India in collaboration with the Department of Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt of India where persons with visual disabilities will be provided with free Braille books on production of UDID cards at the Books for All set up at hall 1. The fair will also showcase a collection of audio and eBooks.
On this occasion Chairman, National Book Trust India, Prof.MilindMarathe informed about this year’s theme of the book fair,‘Multilingual India (Bahubhashi Bharat) –a living tradition’ which celebrates linguistic diversity of the country. Theme pavilion spread over 1000 sq metre is designed by National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad and showcases the dedicated pavilion showcases a plethora of linguistic expressions through print, books, e-media, and installations. The integration of the Bhashini (Beta) application underscores a commitment to linguistic inclusivity, enabling seamless translation across languages. This technological advancement facilitates AI-driven living and promotes communication in a country known for its code-switching phenomenon. About 400+ stalls set up by Publishers of Indian languages like Asamiya, Bangla,, Gujarati, Hindi, Maithili, Marathi, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Urdu stands as a testament to the commitment of NDWBF in promoting publishing in Indian languages.
Saudi Arabia is Guest of honour for the upcoming edition of New DelhiWorld Book Fair 2024. Addressing the media, Dr.Abdullatif Alwasel, the Publishing General Manager of the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission of Saudi Arabia on this occasion emphasised on the 7 decade old cultural relations with Indian and informed that as part of the bilateral MOU between two countries Saudi Arabia would signed during the visit of Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in India a 25 member Saudi delegation would be showcasing Saudi literature, language, culture and heritage at the New Delhi World Book Fair.
This edition of the book festival is spread over 50,000 sq metre and set to be the biggest book fair with more than 1000 publishers from India and abroad. The fair is segmented into various thematic halls, each dedicated to enriching different facets of the literary landscape. From the exploration of science, humanities, and philosophy in Hall 1, to the vibrant showcase of publishers of Indian languages and the Lekhak Manch in Hall 2, attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in diverse literary traditions and discussions. General and Trade Publishers are present in Hall 5.
Young bibliophiles will be enchanted by Hall 3, where publishers of children's books and the Children Pavilion will offer a treasure trove of literary delights. Meanwhile, Hall 4 will host foreign publishers and the International Events Corner, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and literary exchange on a global scale.
Another unique addition to the event is the Festival of Festivals,through which organisers of the fair, national Book Trust, India is providing a platform to literary festivals of the country. The first edition of the FoF (Festival of Festivals) will have an eclectic mix of more than 100 speakers on the stage of Ahmedabad Lit Fest, The Great Indian Book Tour, Cine Durbar, Bharat Lit Fest and PragatiE Vichar Lit fest.
Book fair will witness over 1000 book releases by different publishers including the title ‘Igniting Collective Goodness’ based on Mann ki Baat and translated in 12 Indian languages inspired by "Mann ki Baat," and new titles under the Creating Intellectual Heritage Series.
On the business side of the event, this edition of NDWBF will see participation of more than 40 countries at New Delhi Rights Table (NDRT), a B2B exchange forum where more than 500 meetings are planned. The participating countries will include Argentina, Spain, France, Turkey, Iran, United Kingdom, UAE, Nepal, Bangladesh etc. There is also an exclusive B2B zone set up for the first time at the fair. Organised on the sidelines of the fair, the 11th edition of CEO Speak will see participation from who’s who of publishing, digital publishing and start-up ecosystem.
Scheduled on 11th February, focus for this year’s CEO speak is on Artificial Intelligence and Multilingual Publishing: Challenges and Opportunities.
Informing about the B2B side of the event, Mr. Malik also informed that the New Delhi Book Fair is the largest book fair of the world in B2C segment and it has generated a great interest among the publishing fraternity across the globe. This year book fair is scheduled to be visited by the CEOs of Frankfurt book fair, London book Fair and Madrid book fair.
On the cultural side, the event will showcase a cultural harmony among the linguistic diversity through performance from bands like Dashugsfrom Ladakh, The Space folk ensemble from Jammu & Kashmir, Thaikkkudam Bridge from Kerala as well as of traditional performances like Garba, Odissi, Ragini, Sufi Qawalli etc. Saudi Arabia will present Ardha (sword dance) whereas Russian group will showcase traditional classic dance performance.
Ms.Hema Maity, General Manager, ITPO, co-organiser of the event informed that Entry to the book fair is free for Children in school uniforms, senior citizens and differently abled. She also informed that a food court has been set up at the ITPO grounds for the visitors. Entry for metro commuters is from gate 10 and the nearest metro station is Supreme Court. Other access gates are Gate 4 and Gate 6.
Tickets are available online on ITPO website as well as on 20 Metro stations of DMRC – namely Welcome, Dilshad Garden, Rithala, GTB Nagar, Vishwavidyalaya, Kashmiri Gate, Rajiv Chowk, Noida Sector-52, Noida City Centre, Botanical Garden, Vaishali, Indraprastha, Supreme Court, Mandi House, Kirti Nagar, Dwarka, Munirka, ITO, INA and Hauz Khas, Book-lovers can buy tickets for the New Delhi World Book Fair from 9 am to 4 pm.
Book Fair Timing is from 11 am to 8 pm, 10to 18 February 2024.
