Siliguri, Dec. 5: The nine-day Siliguri Book Fair, organised by Greater Siliguri Publishers and Booksellers? Association, came to a close today, registering a record turnout of more than 60,000 visitors and sales worth around Rs 70 lakh.

?In fact, figures in all categories have registered an increase compared to previous years,? said Arun Roy, the joint convener of the fair. ?This includes the number of stalls, which has gone up by five, the number of visitors which has increased to 68,000 from last year?s 55,000, and the total sales that has amounted to Rs 70 lakh this time from the Rs 65 lakh last year.?

Children?s books turned out to be the favourite, followed by encyclopaedias. ?The largest sale of a single title in English was A.P.J. Abdul Kalam?s Greatest Scientist, while Taslima Nasrin?s Chhoto Chhoto Dukkho Katha sold the most among Bengali titles,? said Narayan Das, another joint convener.