"VAN" (Delhi Bureau - 06.03.2023) :: The last day of the New Delhi World Book Fair 2023 had people, young and old alike, rushing in to buy books and get a glimpse of their favourite writers at the fair until it returns next year. More than a thousand speakers and panellists across more than 400 sessions and cultural performances in the course of 9 days joined in to celebrate the 50 years journey of the New Delhi World Book Fair highlighting the changing dimensions, continued relevance and future of books.
The final day didn't show any signs of slowing down – with the day hosting a series of book launches and discussions, including “The Rise of BJP” by Shri Bhupender Yadav, Union Cabinet Minister of Labour and Employment; “Shaheed Kanshi Ram Maruli” by Satwinder Singh Madaulvi; “Shaheed Udham Singh” by Gurdev Singh Sindhu; “A Slick Life: A Memoir of Oilman Satish Chandar” by Richa Bhatt Badola; and “Kargil Heroes: Ten Exclusive Inspiring Stories,” among others.
Parallelly, at the Children’s Pavilion, the cheers and laughter of little children filled the air as they engaged in fun-filled activities. The day started with an engaging session on Mapology, where children learned about Indian Geography. The day also saw a captivating panel discussion with child authors, like Sarah Rose, Sia Gupta, and Aayush, where the speakers discussed what inspired them to begin their writing journeys.
The Authors’ Corner also saw a number of upcoming authors and celebrated speakers talking about topics of contemporary relevance, and ways to make India a nation of readers and leaders.
The Fair came to a close on a musical note with folk and cultural performances at the Amphitheatre with an enthralling Sufi performance by the Sargam Group - the Johar Ali Assembly and an energetic Gidda performance.
Across the 9 days, visitors thronged to the Theme Pavilion to pay tribute to the freedom fighters of the country and participate in the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav with a range of inspiring conversations that reacquainted them with stories of our forgotten heroes. The G20 Pavilion drew in huge crowds – with people flocking to browse books from member countries and learn more about India’s G-20 Presidency. The NEP Pavilion hosted multiple sessions to discuss and further the various facets of the NEP 2020. The International Events Corner was a dynamic convergence of global outlook with the Indian attitude, and the YUVA Corner brought forth the young Indian voices in all their diversity. During the Education Conclave held during the fair, policymakers and stakeholders from fields of education, Panchayati raj, culture, and early child development segments came together for brainstorming on implementation of National Digital Library for children and adolescents with appropriate digital content and the Community Library project envisaged in the Budget 2023.Scheme
Apart from books exhibited in over 150 languages, this edition of the Fair witnessed talks and seminars from prominent personalities like Annie Ernaux, Subedar Major Yogendra Yadav, Sergey Lavrov, Anand Neelkantan, Kabir Bedi, Susie Morgenstern, Olivia Ruiz, Oscar Pujol, Ashwin Sanghi, Kumar Vishwas, Simon Lamouret, Mathieu Bertrand and Jaya Mehta as well as the young authors from PM’s YUVA Mentorship Scheme.
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