AGARTALA, Feb 14 (TIWN): Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Sunday inaugurated the 34th Agartala Book Fair at Umakanta Academy field.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar inaugurated the scheduled inaugural programme in the presence of in the presence of Information and Cultural Affair Minister Bhanulal Saha, Eminent Artist of Bangladesh Kashem Khan, Special Secretary of Information and Cultural Affair Department Soumitra Bandopadhyay and others.

Despite the phenomenal growth of other forms of media like e-books, TV channels and Internet, the value of traditionally written books remains undiminished. We must develop interest among students for reading books.” Sarkar also contradicted views expressed by a section of the intelligentsia that in the age of Internet interest in books was declining and said "books are forever".

It is to be mention that the first Agartala Book Fair held was held in 1981 and since then the scenario of publishing started to change very rapidly. Along with the common people, various schools, colleges, institutes, libraries and academic centers also collected books in bulk from the fair.

The fair, inaugurated by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, is hosting books in around 20 languages, including tribal and regional languages on diverse topics.  Meanwhile, the devoted book readers who visits this fair every year, says that such fairs give a boost not only to well-known writers, but also to new authors. Talking to the sellers at the fair recently, it could be known that like every year this year too they have come here to stall books of various authors and publishers to encourage the children as well the adults. “We are receiving a good response from the Agartala book lovers”, said the sellers. 

Detailing about the stalls it has been mentioned that a total of 73 stalls are set up from Tripura, Kolkata 36, Guwahati six, New Delhi three and one each from Bangladesh and Kerela.

According to the reports, Along with the Tripura publishers, different publishers of Bangladesh, Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati are participating in the book fair.

Various stall owners has already opened their stalls in the fair at Umakanta Academy.

It is to be mentioned here that Altogether 121 stalls are set up in the 34th Agartala Book Fair which began from February 14.