NBT's Uttaranchal Book fair takes off.

Dehradun, June 11 (UNI) Chief Minister N.D. Tiwari inaugurated Uttaranchal Book fair hosted by National Book Trust at Parade Ground here in the presence of the Chairman of NBT Prof Vipin Chandraand other dignitaries.

Mr Tiwari said documentation of Uttaranchal's folk songs and folk tales was necessary.He urged NBT to set up its regional centres in all the states. He said the books play an important role in character building of the youths. Interacting with the media yesterday, Chairman of NBT and renowned historian Prof. Vipin Chandra disagreeing that the reading habits amongst children was waning away however, said their taste has changed from Amar Chitrakatha to comics like 'Nagraj'.

''It is our sole responsibility that in this changing phase we provide better literature to the children,'' he said, admitting the phenomenon was being experienced not only in India but world over.

Prof Chandra lamented on the absence of writers for a common man.

NBT also released four books on the occasion including Indira Gandhi written by Inder Malhotra, 'Phansi Lahore ke' by Gurudev Singh, 'Seva Sadan' by Prem Chand and 'Fiji yatra adhi raat se age'by Brij B Lal. The book fair will be held till June 18 . About 100 publishers from all over the country are participating in the fair.

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