Guwahati Book Fair: Free entry for students

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Dec 24: The year ending on a good note the Guwahati Book fair is round the corner. It will be held at AEC playground at Chandmari from December 30, 2016 to January 10, 2017.

Like every year Publication Board Assam (PBA) has come up with a series of attractions, including free entry for school students. Their identity cards will serve as their entry tickets.

"As many as 20,000 letters urging school students to take part in the book fair are being issued to schools in Guwahati. However, the letters are meant for the students up to seventh standard," Board secretary Promod Kalita said.

The opening day of the fair will witness Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowals iugurating of the 12-day event. State Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as the president, writer and NBT director Rita Choudhury as the honourable guest and researcher Lalit Shyam will grace the occasion as the special guest.

Around 230 stall from publishers in Assam and states outside Northeast will come. Of them 84 are from Assam, 14 from Kolkata, 3 from Delhi, a stall each from Ranchi, Pat, Mumbai and Andhra Pradesh will attract booklovers. However, talks are going on with publishers Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. The ticket price is limited to Rs 10 each.

Two latest books from PBA - Abahan- seventh edition and Hembaruar Rasaboli- first edition - will be released on the occasion.

 'Jagosthio xahityaxewir milan anusthan' ming 'Sahajatra'- involving indigenous tribes will be held on the occasion. It will be presided over by writer nigopal Mahanta.

Sumanta Chaliha of the PBA said that a slew of measures have been taken to check demonetization for book lovers to enjoy buying books uninterrupted.

"An ATM bearing chance will be set up on the premises. We have been talking with SBI in this regard. Also we are proposing for POS machines at the stalls to promote cashless transaction," Chaliha said.

A promotiol event for promotion of Assamese movies is scheduled. Four Assamese movies have been lined up on the occasion.

A media cell for the newsmen will also be set up on the premises.