Central Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar inaugurates 19th book fair at Pragati Maidan in capital

Updated on: Friday, August 23, 2013

More libraries are required in the country to inculcate reading habit among poor children who cannot afford books, Central Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar said here on Friday.

"Libraries are definitely needed in this country because we are still a poor country. Many of poor children cannot afford books. We must propagate the culture of libraries and reading habits," Kumar said after inaugurating 19th book fair at Pragati Maidan here.

The nine-day book fair, which opened for public on Friday, features over 250 exhibitors from the country and 59 from abroad including the US and China.

"I think citizens of Delhi will love to come to this book fair. It is a wonderful fair," he said.

The theme of this year's book fair is "libraries and readership".

"We urge the government to provide more support for libraries across the country in view of high readership across the country," CMD of India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) Rita Menon said.

The book fair will feature a series of events including discussion on library and the reader, kavi sammelan, interactive programme for children and book releases among others.

"We have developed an authors' lounge at the book fair so that they (authors) can interact with readers and visitors," Menon said.

As a special gesture to students, 50 per cent concession is granted on entry fee (Rs 20 for adult and Rs 10 for children) to the exhibition on showing identity cards.

The twin exhibition 19th Delhi book fair and 15the Stationery fair are open from 11 am to 8 pm, said a press release issued by ITPO.

It said the government plans to conduct national census on libraries and work towards upgradation of their infrastructure.

The National Mission for Libraries, anchored in the Ministry of Culture, will conduct a national census on libraries, work towards upgradation of infrastructure of reading resources and seek to modernise and promote the networking of libraries, the release said, adding that about 9,000 libraries will be covered in three years under the Mission.

The Mission focuses on improvement of public library system of the country, particularly concentrating on states where library development is lagging behind.

Central Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar inaugurates 19th book fair at Pragati Maidan in capital

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