Silchar, Dec. 15: Bibliophiles interested in local literature and culture have reasons to cheer as the 24th edition of Silchar book fair got under way last evening here at the Bipin Chandra Pal meeting ground.

Former Assam minister and chairman of Linguistic Minority Development Council Ardhendu Kumar Dey inaugurated the 12-day fair, which is being organised by Silchar Book Fair Organising Committee.

Lovely Choudhury, a well-known writer of Bangladesh, and Niharendra Narayan Thakur, chairman of Silchar Municipal Board, were present at the inaugural ceremony.

A host of well-known publishers from across the country and Bangladesh have set up their stalls where books on science and technology, history, art and culture, comics, fashion designing, cookery and journalism, among others, are available.

The speciality about this book fair is that different local publishers also set up their stalls where books written by local authors are available.

"In today's era, it's not very difficult to get books on varied subjects. All sorts of books can be bought cheaper online. But the books of local authors and writers are not available on the Internet and the book fair thus comes in handy. It gives us the opportunity to come across local writers and authors," said Madhumita Acharjee, a lecturer in Karimganj Law College.

"In a book fair, one comes across different kinds of books that are not available at local stores. Moreover, the books of the writers from Bangladesh and other parts of the Northeast are available in different kiosks and thus the book fair is an amalgamation of different cultures and literature," said Paritosh Paul Choudhury, president of the book fair organising committee.

The fair is offering a discount of 10 per cent. Cultural performances, besides a host of competitions, including drawing, quiz and debate will be organised throughout the 12 days.