More than 1,500 publishers to participate in Patna Book Fair

Patna, Nov 23 (UNI) More than 1,500 publishers and booksellers from all over India and abroad would take part in the fortnight-long Patna Book Fair, 2008, beginning at the historic Gandhi Maidan here from December 5.

More than 600 stalls had already been erected at the fair ground where over two million books would be on display for sale, Book Fair Committee Convenor Amit Jha said at a news conference here this evening.

Claiming that huge enthusiasm had already been generated among thousands of book lovers in the city about the fair, being held for the third year in succession, Mr Jha said besides a large number of leading Indian Publishers like Rupa, National Publishing House of Delhi, Oxford University Press, Penguin, Orient Longman and Diamond Publishers for children books, at least 15 publishing houses from the US, Africa, Bangladesh and Nepal would participate in the fair with wide variety of books, magazines and periodicals.

The fair, to continue till December 16, would remain open from 1030 hrs to 2030 hrs everyday, Mr Jha said, adding all school and college students would be allowed free entry against their ID cards.

A number of seminars, workshops, debates and cultural programmes would also be organised during the fair every day, he said.

Asked about the popularity of books in the age of internet, particularly among the young generations, Mr Jha said last year alone the sales figure had crossed the Rs three crore mark.

''We hope to touch Rs five crore this year,'' he added.

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