Patna: This year's Patna Book Fair would be dedicated to women's empowerment. The theme of the 24th edition of Patna Book Fair, organised by Centre for Readership Development (CRD), is the colour pink.

Apart from a chance to buy books from their favourite publications and authors, bibliophiles will also get to listen to new poetesses reciting their compositions at the fair, from December 2 to December 11 at Gyan Bhavan.

"Given the theme, we will give poetesses a chance to recite poetry at the Kavya Goshthi programme," CRD spokesperson Kumar Pankajesh said. "Poets Sanjay Kundan and Alok Dhanwa would attend the programme. London-based author-cum-journalist Shikha Varshneya would also speak on 'Hindi in London' in one of the programmes."

He said around 200 publishers from across the country - like Rajkamal, Vani, Rajpal & Sons, Pustak Mahal, Coimbatore Streamlyn Academy, Bangalore - are scheduled to participate in the fair.

"This year there is lesser participation by publishers because of change of venue," said Pankajesh. "We didn't get permission to hold the fair at Gandhi Maidan where we would have got open space. However, the change in venue has not dampened our spirits. The fair will keep its charm among bibliophiles this year, too, as we are set to organise various programmes, including Jansamvad where people from various professions will hold discussions on major issues."

Among those who would participate in Jansamvad programme are Delhi-based journalists Urmilesh and Anant Vijay, Congress leader Priyanka Chaturvedi, BJP leader Amrita Bhushan and South Asian Women in Media, Bihar chapter member Shambhavi Singh. Various theatre groups are also set to present their act every day during the fair while other type of cultural programmes would also be held at the venue," said president of CRD Ratneshwar Singh.

He said an award ceremony would be organised (the date was yet to be decided) where people from the field of literature, journalism, theatre and art and culture would be felicitated. "Entry fee would be the same (Rs 10) like in previous years. School students would be allowed free entry if they come in school uniform and show their identity card," Ratneshwar said.