One lakh books & more to lure at fair

Book lovers browse through the shelves at National Book Fair at Jaipal Singh Stadium in Ranchi. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, Sept. 14: The Ranchi book fair, organised for the second consecutive time by the Book Promotion Society, started today at the Jaipal Singh Stadium.

The 10-day fair was inaugurated by the vice-chancellor of Ranchi University, A. A. Khan. The entry fee is a nominal Rs 3. Book lovers are in for a treat: there are more than one lakh books on display.

Volumes on religion, spiritualism, literature, science, and astrology also come with an attractive 10 per cent discount. Onkar Nath Rai, the fair’s co-ordinator, said around 90 bookstalls were stocked with books of publishers like Navneet Publication, Upkar Prakashan, Sahitya Bhavan Publication, Sahitya Academy, Delhi Press, Raj Kamal Publications, Rampur Raza Library and Granth Bharti Distribution.

However, books are not the only attractions. Magic games, educational and animated CDs, as well as scientific devices, would play a major role in getting footfalls. Vinod Kumar, a participant at the fair from Delhi, would sell magical toys and masks ranging from Rs 20 to Rs 150. “It was an instant hit with kids last year and we hope our success is repeated,” he said.

Gurwinder Singh, another stall owner, said: “We are selling a scientific microscope which enables us to see dots on the moon. It costs Rs 1,500, while telescopes range between Rs 100 to Rs 6,000,” Singh added.

A plethora of programmes for children and entertainment programmes are also in the pipeline during the fair.