Sambalpur book fair draws huge crowds

Sambalpur: The Sambalpur Book Fair at PHED ground here is drawing huge crowd. Organized by Society for Education, Tradition and Unity, it will continue till Friday.
The fair was supposed to be held on the grounds of Gangadhar Meher University. "We had thought that the change in venue would adversely affect the flow of visitors. But, surprisingly, the footfall at the fair is even more than previous years," said Sukanta Kar, a member of the organizing committee.
Book lovers flocked to the PHED ground in the evening and flip through books on literature, science, technology, law, religion, biographies and competitive exam guidelines.
Little bookworms, children, too are spoilt for choice at the book fair.
"The book fair was organized for the first time in 1999 on a small scale with only 26 stalls. It has become an annual affair since then," Kar said.
Seminars on contemporary issues are being held every evening, besides programmes meant especially for schoolchildren.
"This year, we have set up 150 stalls with books of authors from across the world. The publishers and booksellers, who come here, rank this fair among the best in the state," he added.