Potter Proves Love For Books Not Over: NBT

New Delhi, July 31 (UNI) The National Book Trust today cited Harry Potter selling like hot cakes to point out that readers' love affair with books is far from over.

''Harry Potter,'' NBT Chairman Bipan Chandra noted at a news conference, ''registers huge sales even in India.'' It shows, Prof Chandra told journalists, that the love of the written word has not diminished. He also cited soaring newspaper circulations.

JK Rowling's book about the famous fictional character was reported to have sold three million copies within 24 hours, including 100,000 in India.

Prof Chandra mentioned the mentality-- a fondness or preference for the foreign-- as a possible factor behind Rowling's phenomenal success.

He said sales somehow did not materialise in Indian industry.

He cited an NBT offering-- www.ghanajungle.com-- which, he said was appreciated by many but it did not translate into sales.

Asked to give the reasons, Prof Chandra said it would be among subjects of discussion in a series of seminars NBT is organising to celebrate its 50 years in publishing.

As part of its celebration, the NBT will also bring readers 50-odd anthologies of what it considers India's best literary effort.

UNI