Bookworms, it's time to gather and rejoice.

Chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi inaugurated the 21st Patna Book Fair at Gandhi Maidan on Friday.

Organised by the Centre for Readership Development, the fair will continue till November 18. During this time, residents and book lovers would be able to enjoy cultural programmes and discussions on social issues. Children will be in focus at the fair.

To give an international status to the book fair, chief minister Manjhi said: 'On behalf of the education department, I will request the central government to recognise this as an international event. The Patna Book Fair should be given as international status, as it has a glorious history. I also request the organising committee to keep the books reasonably priced.'

He added: 'Since the books are unavailable to people in the villages, libraries would be opened at the panchayat level. We will float this idea in the next budget session.'

This year's book fair has showcased works of different genres, including autobiographies, biographies, motivation, adventure, fiction, non-fiction, academics and sports.

Centre for Readership Development convener Ratneshwar Singh said: 'Around 300 stalls have been allotted to the publishers such Kitab Ghar, Prabhat Prakashan, Sage Publishers, Rajkamal Prakashan, Prakashan Sansthan, Pustak Mahal and others.'

The Centre for Readership Development is a voluntary association of technocrats, social scientists, journalists and writers. It has taken up the challenge of empowering the common man through books. It has been organising the book fair in Patna since 1985.

Over the past few years, the fair has evolved into a popular hangout for all people alike.

Everybody has something to like at the fair.

'I am a regular visitor to the book fair. Every year, I wait for it to get my hands on some good books. I love reading short stories and romantic novels,' said Notre Dame Academy student Ananya Bharti.

Vandana, a homemaker living on Bailey Road, is excited that the book fair is back. She said: 'I plan to visit the book fair on the weekend with my two sons. I want to get some cartoon books for the children and a couple of Hindi novels for myself.'

This year's book fair has been dedicated to late Hindi writers Madhukar Singh and Robin Shaw Pushp. Among the attractions at the 12-day event are Desaj, a cultural programme, Samaj (discussion on social issues) and a film screening by Cine Society, Patna.

Desaj would be organised daily by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. Prominent artistes who would perform at the event are Teejan Bai from Chhattisgarh, Purisai Kanappa from Tamil Nadu, Nadirag from Assam and Manzoor Mir from Jammu and Kashmir.

Ratneshwar said awareness would be spread on issues such as right to information, save the girl child, human smuggling, Ganga Bachao and organ donation at Samaj.