The Assam Book Fair 2024 has commenced at the Assam Veterinary College field in Khanapara, Guwahati, with great enthusiasm. Organized annually by the Assam Publication Board in collaboration with the All Assam Publishers and Booksellers Association, the event will continue until January 7.
Pramod Kalita, Secretary of the Assam Publication Board, informed ANI that Assam Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu inaugurated the book fair on December 27 in the presence of notable figures, including renowned writer Hindol Sengupta and Surinder Kumar Ghai, President of the Federation of Publishers and Booksellers Associations in India.
“This year’s book fair will run until January 7, featuring participation from 118 publishers and booksellers, with a total of 350 stalls. Among them, 15 publishers are from Kolkata, 16 from Delhi, and one each from Haryana and Hyderabad,” Kalita said.
He further explained that publishers from Bangladesh, who had participated last year, were not invited this year due to the current situation in the country. “While Bangladeshi publishers expressed interest, they decided against participating, and we also chose not to extend invitations,” Kalita added.
In 2023, the book fair, held at the Assam Engineering Institute (AEI) field in Chandmari, Guwahati, saw participation from 135 booksellers and publishers, including several from Bangladesh. Kalita expressed optimism about the success of this year’s event and highlighted the participation of renowned writers and artists from various parts of the world.
“We have arranged multiple programs for students and made all necessary arrangements to ensure the fair’s success,” Kalita concluded.
(ANI)