Patan Book Fair to be Held at Gandhi Maidan from 4 to 15 December

Patan, 2 November (ABN) – The Patan Book Fair, which has been held for the past 42 years under the aegis of the Centre for Readers Development (CRD), is scheduled to be staged at Gandhi Maidan from 4 to 15 December this year. This fair, counted among the three major book fairs of the country, is not merely a centre for book display and sale but also a significant platform for literary, cultural, artistic and educational activities. The popular public fair of Bahar encourages the love of reading among people and, each year, delivers a new message to society through its specific theme. This time, the main theme of the fair is "Place of Reading, Beyond Books" (Joy of Reading, Beyond Books), and it has been attributed to the creator of Bahar Geet and renowned folk poet Satiya Narain. This information was given by CRD Patan Book Fair President and renowned writer Ratanishwar. He stated that this year the fair will present more than 350 new programmes, giving special importance to literature, poetry, stories, youth creativity, education, employment, health, cinema, fine arts and social topics. Letters, Shabdankar, Kaviyah Katha, Youth Podium, Hunar, Mushaira and Koi Samlen, Gyan Rozgar, Yuva Sour, Health Sanwad, Nai Kitab, Cinema Anime, Art Gallery, Jan Sanwad, Katha Patli Patra, Nikad Ke Rang, Coaching Master, School Atsu, Savad Wahar and Bahar Sunawadi, among many others, will be the main attractions of this fair.

This year, special programmes have been arranged for the youth. Under "Letters", memorable writings that have been written and read but have not faded from minds over time will be presented. Dr. Vimaldo will present famous letters, while young men and women of the city will read their favourite letters or those they have written but never sent to the relevant address. Under the supervision of Dr. Wron, "Youth Podium" will be organised, where discussions on important national and global topics will be held with the youth. This programme will involve serious and thought‑provoking exchanges on politics, art, literature, culture and the rapidly changing social conditions, addressing the identity and various issues of the youth. Similarly, under the supervision of Atkrish Anand, the "Shabdankar" programme will be held, where the youth will present their poems, stories and satirical and humorous creations. The selected creator will be awarded the Shabdankar Award. The selection will involve a committee of three judges and will also consider audience opinion.

Under the supervision of Ashish Kumar, "Savad Wahar" will present not only various traditional dishes of Bahar but also selected delicious foods from the country. A special food lounge will be set up for this purpose, where book lovers can enjoy their favourite books along with tea sips.

A "Hunar" programme will be organised for school and college students. Under the supervision of Engineer Dhir, various competitions will be held daily, including story writing, mime show, waste craft, selfie challenge, colour list, brain drain and gym game, among many activities. This programme is expected to see the participation of more than 70 schools with approximately five thousand children.

A special cinema hall will be built for the "Cinema Anime" film festival at the book fair. Under the supervision of Kamal Rave Kanta, feature films, short films, and documentary films will be screened daily. Discussions and dialogues on various film topics will also take place, with film artists and experts from across the country participating. At this event, the general public will also have the opportunity to converse directly with these personalities. Distinguished personalities from the cinema sector will be honored, while renowned personalities from various fields will be invited as first-time audience members. Following last year’s success, this time a special health program will be held under the supervision of Dr. Vikas Shankar, featuring prominent doctors from the country. In this program, expert clinicians will converse directly with the audience and provide information on various important health topics.

At the Patna book fair, a magnificent "Koi Samilen" event will also be organized, featuring renowned poets such as Chandn Dovidi and Rajat Samit. Under the supervision of J. Prakash, the daily "Kaaviy Kahita" program will be held, where well-known poets and short story writers from the country will present their creations. Under the supervision of M. K. Kumar, a large art gallery will be established, showcasing works by young artists, folk artists from Bahar, senior artists, and Padma Award recipients. Daily discussions and debates on various topics of fine arts will also be conducted, while distinguished artists will be honored. Under the "Nukar Ke Rang" program, students from Patna’s renowned colleges will perform street dramas. Additionally, distinguished personalities associated with theatre and fine arts will also be honored.

Under the supervision of Sarita Mishra, the daily "School Atsu" will be held, where students from various well-known schools in Patna will present music, songs, and dance programs. Under the supervision of Prashant Ranjan, the most popular program of the book fair, "Jan Snavad," will be held, featuring renowned academic and literary personalities from various fields. Under the supervision of Rekha Bharti Mishra, the "Coaching Master" and "Gyan Rozgar" programs will be conducted, involving national-level educational and coaching institutions.

This time, the book fair is expected to see the participation of numerous renowned literary, journalistic, and academic personalities from the country. Among them are well-known journalist Harsh Vardhan Trapathee, journalist and author Anant Vaje, short story writer Poonam Singh, Dr. Vane Kumar, Karan Ghee, renowned critic J. Prakash Pandey, Dr. Arun Bhagat, Ajit Azad, Shivendra Muriya, poet Madan Kaship, journalist Navidita Jha, Mahma Singh, Dr. Ashok Kumar Joti, Bhogoti Prasad Dovidi, Sanje, Sanjio Sinha, Sanje Kandan, Pankaj Choudhry, Vishali Sita, Arun Narain, Asfar, Bami Singh, and Sanjio M. Kesh, among many other important names. In the poetry section, the participation of Anil Bhakar, Chandn Singh, Vane Surav, Sarvesh Tiwari, Musafir Baitha, Kumar Makl, Arund Shriwaso, Rajesh Kaml, Nikhil Anand, Natasya, Anchet, Apanshu, Bal Mankad, Ganeshi Choudhry, Maitreya Sharan, Sheeshna Shah Alam, Raj Khasra Rajan, Rakesh Ranjan, Joti Sparsh, Veena Amrit, Chandr Bando, Sameer Premal, Ganjan, Sanje Kumar Kandan, Arund Paswan, Khurshid Akbar, Khurshid Alam, Prem Karan, Naseem Akhtar, Nilan Shankar, Shweta Ghazal, Aradhna Prasad, Nabi Mazfarpuri, Kumar Pankajish, Shahid Akhtar, Amilindo Stahana, Arun Shitanash, Sita Kumari, Nareendra Kumar, Pratish Mishra, M. K. Mishra, Ramesh R. Tembhar, and other poets are expected to participate. In the short story section, the participation of Poonam Singh, Bhavna Shekhar, Parbhat Pranita, Rita Singh, Kamlish, Nilma Singh, Osha Ojhja, Dhru Kamar, and Karan Singh, among many renowned names, will also be included.

This time, the Patna Book Fair will set up almost 200 stalls, where renowned publishing houses of the country will participate with their books. Among them are Parbat Prakashan, Raj Kaml Prakashan, Vani Prakashan, Gyan Peeth, Apkar Prakashan, Hind Yagam, Prakashan Sansthan, Dhanak Postkalia, Simik Prakashan, Oswal Books & Learning, Oswal Printers, NCPUL, Rukhta Foundation, Emirat Sharia, Saathi Academy, Adovita, Inovible, and MTG Books, along with several other institutions.

Overall, this time the Patna Book Fair is set to become a broad platform for books, literature, fine arts, cinema, education, employment, and the creative activities of youth, where avid readers will not only get acquainted with the world of books but also have the opportunity to meet the country’s distinguished literary and cultural personalities.