1 New Delhi World Book Fair 2015 opens today The NDWBF has opened its doors to the book lovers across the world. Come, feel and explore the world of books where there are neither geographical boundaries nor language constraints. This ocean of knowledge would satiate your desires for books Smriti Zubin Irani, Minister of HRD, Government of India, of your choice. Indulge yourself in this wonderful celebration of books! inaugurates the fair today hen you open a book, you With the advent of online open a new world. Who booksellers and e-books, even Wwill not agree with this? geographical barriers are passé. They are an indispensable part of Now, a published book can reach our life – a basic necessity of life. any corner of the world, such is They are truly our companions the expanse of the industry. The at all times and all phases of life north east writings of India have – right from childhood to silver perhaps not got the attention age. They are the true carriers they deserve. The beautiful of knowledge about our past, landscape and the confluence of ancestors, culture, civilizations, various ethnic groups – have all etc. The documentation of major given a different dimension to discoveries, inventions, medicine, the writings from the north-east. astrology, etc has been possible And the organisors of the fair only through books. A Sethumadhavan, chairman, NBT, India, addressing the press conference are bringing this literature to the India is a major publishing this industry while mergers and industry is also growing, world, all housed together under country, which is growing despite acquisitions are making old thereby giving an impetus to the the theme pavilion – Suryodaya all odds. New entrants are joining players stronger. The education publishing industry. – emerging voices from north- 2 Theme: Suryodaya he theme of the fair is Suryodaya Twhere north-east writers and writings would be showcased. Also, a film with rich content from north-east would be screened everyday. Dr Narendra Kohli east India - at the New Delhi World Book for both exhibitors and NBT, India; but, 11 members led by the chairperson of the Fair 2015, which is a celebration of books this decision is in the interest of publishers, Korean Publishers Association will attend from February 14-22, 2015 at Pragati authors and literary agents as things change the fair. While, literary and cultural events Maidan. The theme pavilion will also host a very fast. and activities for school children are series of panel discussions on various aspects Attractions at NDWBF ’15 planned during the fair through Korean of writings, films and history of the region as This time, the fair has Guest of Honour Cultural Centre, New Delhi. well as performances. Country as Singapore and Focus Country Nearly 30 countries including Singapore, The fair will be inaugurated by Smriti as South Korea. The Singapore Pavilion South Korea, Australia, China, Egypt, Zubin Irani, minister of HRD, Govt of India will be showcasing its literary and cultural France, Indonesia, Iran, Germany, Japan, at Hamsadhwani Theatre. Dr Narendra Kohli, heritage at their pavilion. A delegation of Malaysia, Nepal, Poland, Pakistan, Saudi eminent author is the Guest of Honour on 43 persons including eminent publishers, Arabia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Turkey, UAE, USA, the occasion. Lim Thuan Kuan, Hon’ble High authors, and government officials led by Sweden, Cuba, Austria, and international Commissioner of Singapore to India, will a minister of the Republic of Singapore bodies like WHO, UNESCO, EUNIC among represent the Guest Country Sinagapore would be attending the event. The focus others, will be either displaying books in the and Lee Joon-Gyu, Hon’ble Ambassador of country South Korea will showcase its Foreign Pavilion or organizing programmes. Republic of Korea to India, will represent the books and contemporary writings and Almost 200 delegates have already focus country. children’s literature and a delegation of confirmed their visit to the show. The fair is ably organised by National Book Trust (NBT), India in association with India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) as co-organiser. The show was made an annual fair in 2013. Though, it was a challenging task Come, feel and explore the world of books where there are neither geographical boundaries nor language constraints. Indulge yourself in this wonderful celebration of books! Executive Director of the NBDCS R Ramachandran, addressing the press conference Singapore as the Guest of Honour country at the NDWBF 2015 o celebrate the 50 years of close and cordial bilateral The Fair provides a great diplomatic relations between India and Singapore, Singapore is opportunity for Singapore Tthe Guest of Honour Country at the NDWBF '15. Supported publishers and authors to by the National Arts Council (NAC) and the Media Development reach out to the Indian Board, this endeavour intends to raise the profile of Singapore in market and to test its India, and to give recognition to the authors, illustrators, publishers potential, thereby positioning and other key players involved in Singapore’s publishing industry. Singapore as a hub for Asian content. Delegates to the Fair will There will be two delegations: one of publishers and other of authors, participate in forums, panel discussions, school visits, bookstore illustrators and other members of the book community. events and official functions organised by the National Book Trust Leading the delegation of authors and publishers is Claire Chiang, (NBT), India and the High Commission of India in Singapore. NAC board member and chairperson of National Book Development NBDCS that is leading the delegation will also manage the Council of Singapore (NBDCS). A total of 50 administers of literary Singapore Pavilion at the Fair. arts, authors, graphic novelist, publishers, illustrators, librarians Singapore’s presence at the NDWBF signifies the first concerted and booksellers are representing Singapore at the NDWBF. The attempt by the Singapore literary artists and publishers to make delegation is supported by the National Arts Council and the Media their presence felt in the region. This paves the way for publishers Development Authority (MDA). Kathy Lai, CEO, National Arts and writers to actively participate in other regional fairs, particularly Council will also be attending the Fair while Peter Schoppert, in the Malaysia and Philippines Book Fairs, where there is a large president, Singapore Publishers Association (SPA) will be one of English speaking population and a thriving English language the key speakers at the CEOSpeak, forum for publishers which is publishing industry. organised as part of the Fair. –R Ramachandran, executive director, NBDCS 3 Guest of honour author Dr Narendra Kohli is one of the leading luminaries of the world of Hindi literature, an outstanding Exhibition & Cultural Programmes of the litterateur who has seamlessly blended the rich content of hoary Indian heritage Focus Country South Korea @ NDWBF ’15 into contemporary genre without its stifling confines. He is a novelist, short orean Publishers Association will be organizing special story writer, playwright and satirist. His exhibition programmes to promote a better awareness of famous series of novels are Abhudaya (2 Kthe Korean publishing industry and to introduce Korean volumes), Mahasamar (8 volumes), Toro culture to Indian visitors and international publishers, with the Kara Toro, Vasudeva, Poot Anokho Jayo, cooperation of Korean Cultural Centre in India and Literature Translation Institute of Korea, Abhigyan, etc, has been awarded with Vyas to celebrate being selected as the Focus Country in the book fair. Samman, Shalaka Samman, Deendayal Books from Korea: With the main focus on children's book and manhwa (comics), Upadhyaya Samman, Maithilisharan Gupta Korean Publishers Association selected around 200 books published in Korea. Written and Rashtriya Samman, Vivekananda Prestigious published in English, the books are Award, etc. divided into six different categories The three initiatives taken by NBT, to help visitors persue them according India – CEOSpeak, Rights Table and to their interests and enjoy reading Authors' Corner have been well received. about the past, present and future The CEOSpeak – a forum for publishing of Korean culture. These will include in collaboration with FICCI for bringing books on History & Art, Korean together the CEOs of 100+ Indian and Language, Literature, and How-to & foreign publishers for networking and General Books. Koh Young-soo, Liu Sung-kwon, Chang Young-tae, Korean Authors Zone: In president, international exec secretariat general, exchange of ideas, will be held on February KPA director, KPA KPA 15. This time, the New Delhi Rights Table for this zone, ten well-known Korean exchange of copyrights among Indian and novelists will be introduced with photos and their most famous novels. Visitors can take foreign publishers will be held on February their time to read the novels or about the novelists. These will include 16-17, 2015. Kim Young-ha, Shin Kyung-sook, Eun Heekyung, Yi Mun-yol, Lee The Authors Corners provide a platform Seung-U, Jo Kyung-ran, Jo Jung-Rae, Han Kang, Hwang Sok-yong and for authors and publishers to organise events Hwang Sun-mi. like book launches, discussions, meet-the- Bologna Lagazzi Award Illustration: Korean children's books author programmes with a view to create are loved all over the world for their heartwarming stories and the more face-to-face interaction for the visitors