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Rourkela, Feb. 21: Book lovers and publishers here are have turned out in full strength at the book fair organised by Adarsha Pathagar, the city’s oldest library.
The book fair, which was held for the first time in 1991, has been gaining popularity over the years.
“This year, the fair, which began on February 14, has 130 bookstalls. This is 28 more than the previous year. We also expect the turnout at the 21st edition of the book fair to cross last year’s figure of 1.8 lakh,” said A.P. Biswal, vice-president of the organising committee.
He said rain had affected visitors’ turnout on Saturday and Sunday. To offset the loss, the fair has been extended by two more days and will now end on February 25.
“The reason behind organising this fair is to popularise the library movement in the area,” said Biswal.
The enthusiasm of book lovers is visible as this is probably the state’s only book fair that has tickets for entry.
Those who come to the fair have to buy a ticket for Rs 2 to step in.
An organiser said that it had been done to keep unwanted people away from the fair.
Besides, passes have been issued to writers and other serious book lovers.
“School students, who come with their teachers, gain free entry,” said an organiser.
Publishers from Delhi, Calcutta, Patna, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune and other places of the country, along with those from the state, have set up their kiosks at the fair.
“We are getting good opportunities and platform to display our books,” said Ramendra Kumar, a writer.
Similarly, book lovers were unanimous that such fairs benefited them as a wide range of publishers gathered at one place.
“What we normally do not get in the city, we get at the fair,” said Swastik Patra, a college student.
Cultural programmes, quiz, essay, drawing and other competitions are organised every evening.
This year, the organisers will honour renowned child litterateur Trilochan Mathan with the Laxmidhar Nayak Sarswat Samman.
Laxmidhar Nayak, an organiser said, was the first litterateur from Rourkela.
As this is Nayak’s centenary year, the organisers have planned several events in his memory.
