GUWAHATI, April 3 � Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today formally inaugurated the 24th Guwahati Book Fair, organized by the Publication Board, Assam, in the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre here. Altogether 134 book sellers and publishing houses from different parts of the country are participating in the fair.
Speaking on the occasion, Gogoi asserted that electronic media would never reduce the importance of books and stressed the need for organizing book fairs in smaller towns of the state. He called for coordination between writers and readers and revealed that the Government would examine whether valuable books including dictionaries can be provided to the readers at reduced prices.
The Chief Minister said that the Publication Board should try its best to publish valuable books and expressed the view that the increase in the number of specialized magazines is a positive sign for the state. He also assured that the Government would give stress on improvement of the condition of the libraries of the educational institutions.
Addressing the function, Education Minister Gautam Bora, who is the chairman of the Publication Board, gave a brief history of book fairs in the state and said that the Board has provided for lodging of the sellers and publishers who came from outside the state. It is for the first time the book fair is being held at the Trade Centre.
Vice Chancellor of Assam University, Dr Topodhir Bhattacharya, who attended the function as the guest of Honour, laid stress on translation.
