Book Fair’s women theme pavilion fails to attract crowd

Manushi, the pavilion focussing on the theme of women at the 25th edition of the World Book Fair, failed to generate interest among visitors, with most of them expressing disappointment with the variety of books available.

“The books displayed at the pavilion number 7 are nice but I am looking for a wider range of books on and by women,” a visitor said. “The theme is interesting but I expected much more, including activities that would pull the audience,” said Mantosh Singh, another visitor.

An official at the theme pavilion said over 400 books dedicated to women were on display but were not for sale. “People can buy these books from other stalls in the fair,” the official said.

Various activities, such as panel discussions, talks, book releases, screening of documentaries and films, and cultural presentations were organised by the theme pavilion but the crowd was not impressed and most visitors left the place within a short duration.

At the same time, the international segment, which saw participation from over 20 countries, including China, Egypt, France, Germany, Nepal, Iran, Poland, Japan, Spain, and Sri Lanka, among others, received a huge footfall.

“I have come to visit the foreign pavilion. I went to the theme pavilion as well, but did not find it interesting,” a visitor said.

The World Book Fair-2017 was thrown open for visitors on January 7, and over 800 publishers are participating in the event. The fair is also celebrating 60 years of National Book Trust (NBT) at the special pavilion, featuring an exhibit titled, ‘This is No Looking Back!’.