Guwahati: The much-anticipated Assam Book Fair in Guwahati's Khanapara Veterinary Field commenced on December 27. Publishers and booksellers from various parts of the country have set up 118 book stalls. Eighteen other stalls have also been set up for the event, set to conclude on January 7, 2025. The Assam Publication Board has reportedly achieved significant sales success in 2024, particularly in Duliajan, Jorhat, and Nalbari.
Education Minister Ranoj Pegu graced the inauguration ceremony as the chief guest. "The number of book readers in Assam is increasing significantly, and the success of the Assam Publication Board's book fairs stands as evidence. Today, 42 important books have been inaugurated, and readers will greatly benefit from them. Compared to book fairs in other states, the Assam government is also planning to increase the budget for the fair. The Cabinet has decided to celebrate 2025 as the Year of Books," the minister remarked during his interaction with the media.
Secretary of the Assam Publication Board Pramod Kalita shared, "This year, we have sufficient space, and proper arrangements for parking and stall setup have been made. We have also increased city bus services directly connecting Khanapara and Paltan Bazar to facilitate visitor travel."
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"This time, we have participation from 15 publishers from Kolkata, 16 from New Delhi, and one from Gurgaon. The fair has an approximate budget of Rs 80 lakhs, but compared to similar events, the budget is still relatively low. The Assam government is planning further development of the book fair for the coming years," he further added.
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