The 24th Delhi Book Fair and 20th Stationery Fair kick started off on August 25. The show opened its gates on Weekend and people poured in with full festive mood. To my disappointment as well as to many the Delhi Book fair and stationary fair could not live up to the expectations. The show occupied Hall no. 7ABC, Hall no. 7D, Hall no. 7E & Hall no. 7FGH. Stationary Fair and 4th Office Automation & Corporate Gift Fair occupied Halls 7ABC and except few interesting stalls most of them are routine stationery brands selling the usual products which can be easily sighted at any other stationery shop around the corner.
Occupying Hall nos. 7D, 7E and 7FGH is Delhi Book fair which has totally lost its charm. The magic it used to cast on us was nowhere to be seen. Kids were the most disappointed. Delhi Book fair was dominated by local book sellers, selling regular novels, 3@100 bucks, old & torn out magazines and digests. Most of the renowned publishers were missing from the party.
No wonder the kids and growing generation is dipping themselves in the pool of digital media for fulfilling not only their educational appetite but for their leisure reading as well.
Despite of this sorry state of Delhi Book fair, I would still recommend book lovers to visit otherwise it will be disappointing for those who have lend their supportive shoulders to the show and to you as well who every year very enthusiastically mark their attendance in the show. I too managed to find something which will be a good read from NBT stall and even enrolled myself for the lifetime membership of National Book Trust of India.
I hope this is just a temporary phase being marked by the ongoing renovation work of Pragati Maidan and the show will regain its long lost glory by the time it will be organized again.
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