Visitors throng a stall at the second Bhagalpur Book Fair. Picture by Amit Kumar

Bhagalpur, Feb. 10: The second Bhagalpur Book Fair is witnessing a record number of visitors at the local Sandis Compound since it opened on February 4.

Organised by the Centre for Readership Development, a local voluntary organisation, the book fair would end on February 14.

The pleasant weather at the onset of spring has seen a large number of book lovers from all walks of lives, including elderly people and children, to visit the fair.

Amit Jha, the organising secretary of the fair, said: “In all, 55 publishing houses from across the country ha- ve taken part in the fair this time. Hundred stalls have been put up for the publishing houses apart from food and snacks stalls at the ground.”

He said well-known publishing houses such as Novelty & Company, Bharatiya Gyan Pith, Rajpal & Sons, Sadhan Publishers, Prakashan Sansthan, Gita Prakashan, Raj Kamal, Jagrity, Uphar, Upkar, Prabhat Prakashan and others have opened stalls at the fair. Entry to the fair is free for school students this time.

“I was enchanted by my visit to the ground seeing people cutting across age groups busy selecting books according to their choice. The city certainly has a good num- ber of book lovers,” said Binoy Gupta, a resident of Jamshedpur.

“The number of book lovers at the fair and the brisk business by different publishing houses indicate this ancient historic silk city has the potential and a big book fair could be organised every year,” said Bilash Kumar Bagchi, a government school headmaster.

Inaugurating the book fair on February 4, BJP MP Shahnawaz Hussain stressed the need to organise the book fair in a great way.

“Bhagalpur is the ancient seat of learning where people from abroad came to take admission to Vikramshila University. Residents here still have interest and passion for good books,” he told The Telegraph.

The organisers have arranged a variety of entertainment events for schoolchildren visiting the fair.

“My father promised me to purchase me a story book. When I entered the fair ground, I was delighted to get the opportunity to take part in Masti Ki Pathshala,” said Anuska, a student of Class IV at a local English medium school.

Under Masti Ki Pathshala, the organisers are holding sports and quiz competitions. Drawing competitions were also organised for schoolchildren in which the participants were told to sketch whatever they wanted.

In the evening, cultural events were organised. “I sang two songs, while my friend presented a classical dance. It was a remarkable moment for me,” said Urmila Kumari, a college student.

“After a long interval, I had the opportunity of spending the evening properly at Bhagalpur, which otherwise lacks other forms of entertainment. Every evening, I walk to the fair ground with my two sons,” said Rupa Mishra, a homemaker.