IMPHAL, Dec 26 - Digital services are changing the ways we read and purchase even though it might be hard to break the habit of turning the pages of a real book.
This is evident considering the declining trend of sale of books at the recently-concluded Imphal Book Fair at Thangmeiband Athletic Union ground here. The 10-day fair was organised by State Central Library, Department of Art and Culture in collaboration with Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation, Kolkata.
�The buying rate of books in such fairs has declined after the introduction of internet and subsequent online buying and smartphone,� said Vedeshwor Sharma of Sangam Book Store, Paona Bazar.
Otherwise books on competitive examinations and some specific books or novels were the main demands of the buyers.
A book seller of Book Line, a Kolkata-based publishing house felt that the changing trend of book reading in the region is disheartening. The reason for sudden decline in the sale of books in Imphal Book Fair this time, according to him, is because of lack of publicity, design of the stalls and of course because of technology advancements.
�If such trend continues there are chances of less participation of the publishing houses from outside the State in future,� he observed.
However, Chief Librarian of State Central Library E Latakishwar Singh said the number publishing houses and book stores participating in the Fair was higher than that of previous year. �This time around 70 stalls including 28 from outside took part in the Fair,� he said.
