Patna, Oct. 6: The state capital would host a 10-day book fair November 2 and focus on education as the theme of the event.

Amit Jha, the convener of Patna-based NGO Centre for Readership Development, today said the fair would be a joint effort of the organisation and the state education department. The venue of the fair would be Gandhi Maidan and its theme would be “Education is Power”.

“This is the 21st time that the book fair will be organised in Patna. The last time the fair was held was in March this year as part of the state’s centenary celebrations. Books on a wide range of subjects and of several publications would be available at the book fair,” Jha said, stressing on the requirement of a wide variety of books at libraries in schools and colleges.

Various publications would set up their stalls. Apart from the 225 stalls, the book fair would host a number of events. “Among them will be street plays on the importance of proper education and word building competition. Reno-wned poets will be invited and the visitors can meet them and learn a lot about their work in general and literature in particular,” Jha said.

“Besides Vidyapati Award, Surendra Pratap Singh Award and the Bhikhari Thakur Award will be handed over to those who have enriched the world of literature, journalism and drama,” the convener added.

The fair would be held in an area of 45,000sqft. Over 100 publications from across the country and abroad are likely to take part in the event.