Taslima in invites list at Delhi Book Fair to be held from Aug 30

New Delhi, Aug 27 (UNI) Controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen figures in the list of invitees at the 14th Delhi Book Fair to be held here from August 30.

Speaking at a press conference to announce the 14th edition of the Delhi Book Fair, to be held at Pragati Maidan from August 30 to September 7, the president of the Federation of Indian Publishers R C Govil said,''We have approached Taslima Nasreen. If she will be available, she will definitely visit the Fair. However, her books will be on display at the Fair.'' To be inaugurated by Vice-President M Hamid Ansari, this year's edition of the Delhi Book Fair will be based on the theme of women writers as an acknowledgement to the growing contribution of women in this field.

Being organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Pubishers (FIP), the fair will have 299 participants from India and abroad including China, Pakistan, Spain, UAE, Iran and the US.

The chief spotlight at the fair would be on women writers, wherein books by prominent 30 zenith women authors would be exhibited.

Speaking at the press meet, General Secretary of the Federation Shakti Malik said,''The 14th Delhi Book Fair will witness participation of renowned Indian and International publishers and distributors.'' More than 300 leading Indian publishers would exhibit their books at 700 stalls. The major attraction of the fair would be the participation of eight foreign countries - Pakistan, Iran, Germany, Sweden, US, China, Abu Dhabi and Spain.

Google Inc, US, have confirmed their participation at the fair.

''The endeavour of organising such an event is to promote books of popular Indian authors and Indian publishers amongst the book lovers in Delhi.

''The enormous success of last year's book fair has inspired organisers to keep on adding values every year, keeping in mind its prime mission to make India a book-reading society,'' Mr Malik said.

As in the past, the Fair is expected to attract additional footfalls on account of another popular event- Stationery Fair 2008 which will be organised in Pragati Maidan from September 1 to 7.

The Delhi Book Fair will also be supplemented by a number of seminars, book launches and workshops. Other programmes to be held during the fair include a workshop on enacting a story for schoolchildren, evening of poetry "Kavita Ki Ek Shaam" by the Indian society of authors besides exclusive presentations and a book release function.

UNI AR PK HT1529