Annual Subscription Rs 5.00; 50 paise per copy October 2018 • Vol 36 No. 10
Contents NBT Celebrates Hindi Pakhwada
NBT Celebrates Hindi Pakhwada 1-2 Indonesia International Book Fair 2 Beijing International Book Fair 3 11th World Hindi Conference 3 Book Review 4 Book Received 4 indi was given the status of official and Hindi General Knowledge. The Hlanguage on 14 September 1949. employees of the Trust, particularly from Excerpts 5 To mark the day, a Fortnight devoted to non-Hindi speaking areas, participated in Hindi language is observed across the these competitions with enthusiasm. Books on and by Gandhi 7 country. From government departments Topics for the essay writing included to institutions and schools and colleges Role of Common man in Water Books on Sardar Patel organize various programmes encouraging Conservation, Challenges Faced by 8 the use of Hindi in day-to-day activities. Working Women and Role of Books in Pick of the Month Like in previous years, this year too, the Child Development. Some of the topics Trust observed Hindi Pakhwada at its for extempore speech were Sufferings of premises in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi from Families of Martyred Soldiers, Importance 1 to 14 September 2018. of Festivals in Our Life, My First Day During the Fortnight, several in Office, The Glittering World of competitions were organized including Advertisements, My Favourite Tourist Essay Writing, Extempore speech, Quiz Destination, Violence on Delhi Roads,
Braja Kishore Prasad: The Hero of Many Battles Sachidanand Sinha 978-81-237-8176-1; Rs 260 OCTOBER 2018 NBT NEWSLETTER 1 among others. In the Hindi general speech, Ms Meena Sharma, Assistant kept Dave, Ms Navjot Kaur, Ms Savita Prasad, knowledge competition for non-Hindi the score for the quiz competition. Ms Anju Kumari, Shri Pramod Kumar speaking employees, questions related to On the concluding day, in her address, and Shri Mani Bhushan. Hindi grammar, spellings, translation of Dr Rita Chowdhury, Director, NBT On this occasion, messages of Shri English terms into Hindi, etc. were asked. expressed her happiness at the enthusiastic Rajnath Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Home In Hindi quiz, five rounds of questions participation of the employees in the Affairs and Shri Prakash Javadekar, Hon’ble on Rajbhasha Act, Rules, Provisions of various competitions held and urged them Minister of HRD were read out. Later, a Constitution on Rajbhasha, National to carry out the official work in Hindi as presentation on the topic ‘How to Work in Awards for Literature–Hindi and other far as possible. She also distributed prizes Hindi with the help of Unicode’ was given Regional Languages, Questions related to to the winners of various competitions. by Shri Lalit Kumar, Consultant, Social leading Hindi Magazines, World Hindi The successful participants included Media. Some of the employees present Conferences, among others were asked. Shri B B Patel, Shri Deep Saikia, Ms Sunita on the occasion also rendered poems on While Ms Neera Jain, Chief Editor & Madan, Ms Ekta, Ms Poonam Madhukar, importance of Hindi. Joint Director, Shri Pankaj Chaturvedi and Ms Aruna Devi, Ms Ritu Kumari, Shri The programmes were coordinated by Dr Lalit Kishore Mandora, Hindi editors Mukesh Kumar, Shri Julfikar Ali, Ms Puja Shri Rakesh Kumar, Deputy Director; Ms at the Trust were the judges for extempore Rawat, Ms Priyanka Jadon, Shri Tarun Sudesh Kumari and Ms Bimla Rawat. Indonesia International Book Fair ational Book Trust, India on literature, education and culture Nparticipated in the Indonesia as well as various competitions and International Book Fair (IIBF) workshops for children, seminars, 2018 which was held at the Jakarta discussions, book launches and Convention Center, Senayan, interactions with the authors. South Jakarta from 12 to 16 The Trust participated with September 2018. a collective exhibit of over 100 The 37th edition of the IIBF, publications of different genres like themed ‘Creative Work Towards science & technology, children’s the Culture Literacy’ featured books, literature, social sciences, 62 participants from Indonesian textbooks and reference books publishing industry and thirty-four among others of various publishers international participants from from across India at the NBT stall. 17 countries including Australia, During the inaugural ceremony of China, Egypt, Germany, India, the Fair, the Trust was honoured for Japan, Malaysia, Morocco, Turkey, Saudi various genres, from fiction to non-fiction its remarkable contribution in publishing. Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and from children’s to religious books. Several dignitaries including Shri Prakash Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and the The other features of the Fair included Gupta, Deputy Chief of Mission, United Kingdom. the Bursa Naskah (manuscript fair) and Embassy of India in Indonesia visited the One of the interesting highlights of the Indonesia Rights Fair, which provided NBT Stall. Shri Gupta appreciated NBT’s the Fair was the Zona Kalap (shopping a platform for local and foreign writers, efforts in promoting Indian books and zone) program, through which publishers publishers and rights managers to meet authors abroad. offered a discount of up to 80 percent on and collaborate. Dr Lalit Mandora, Hindi Editor 7,000 Indonesian and foreign titles in The Fair also hosted over 100 events represented NBT at the Fair. 2 NBT NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2018 Beijing International Book Fair ith a special focus on China’s One of the highlights of the Fair Wgrowing children’s book was the BIBF Ananas Illustration market, the 25th Beijing International Exhibition which showcased the Book Fair was held at China select artworks of 66 illustrators across International Exhibition Center, the world. This year’s Ananas Grand Beijing from 22 to 26 August 2018. Prix went to Chinese illustrator Liao An exhibition of children’s books Ziying, while Grand Jury prizes were covering around 20,000 square meters awarded to Liao Zongyi (from China), was held for the first time as part of this Ekaterina Mikhalina (Russia), and year’s fair. Firms and publishers from Liva Ozola (Latvia). various countries displayed different The Trust participated in the kinds of books, such as picture books, Book Fair with an exhibit of over pop-up books, audio books, comics and Germany, United States of America, India 200 books from different publishers graphic novels, at the exhibition. among others participated in the Fair and from across the country. Ms. Geetika This year Morocco was the guest displayed over 3,00,000 publications. Srivastava, Counselor of Indian Embassy of honour country at the Fair. Morocco Several cultural and literary programmes in China inaugurated the NBT stall at the exhibited around 800 books and held were organized during the Fair including Fair. The books ranging from children’s several cultural and literary programmes seminars, workshops for young readers, books to fiction, non-fiction, biographies, focusing on African culture and China- interactions with authors, etc. Besides, textbooks, books on Indian culture and Morocco relationship under the Belt and BIBF Digital Publishing Forum was philosophy caught the attention of large Road Initiative. organized in which the participants from number of visitors at the Fair. Over 2500 publishers from 93 across the industry presented their analysis Shri Mayank Surolia, AD (Exhibition) countries including Australia, France, and predictions of the next generation of and Shri Karun Kumar, AD (NRO) Japan, Korea, UAE, United Kingdom, digital publishing. represented NBT at the Fair. 11th World Hindi Conference he 11th World Hindi Conference Mauritius; Ms Mridula Sinha, Governor programmes were organised. A book Twas organized at Swami Vivekananda of Goa; Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi, exhibition titled ‘Hindi: Kal, Aaj Aur International Convention Centre, Pailles, Governor of West Bengal among others Kal’ was also organized in which National Mauritius from 18 to 20 August. The were present on the occasion. Book Trust, India participated. More conference was organised jointly by the At the inaugural function a homage than 3000 scholars from 20 countries Government of India and the Government was paid to Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, including India participated in the of Mauritius. former Prime Minister of India. Special Conference. Shri Praveen Kumar Jagannath, Prime souvenirs, postal stamps, books in On behalf of National Book Trust Minister of Mauritius inaugurated the Hindi and special editions of Hindi India, a delegation headed by Prof. Baldeo conference. Besides, Ms Sushma Swaraj, magazines were also released. The theme Bhai Sharma, Chairman, along with Shri Minister of External Affairs; Ms Leela of the conference was ‘Hindi Vishwa Aur Imran-ul Haque, Deputy Director and Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, Minister Bharatiy Sanskriti’ (Global Hindi and Shri Deepak Kumar Gupta, Hindi Editor, of Education and Human Resources, Indian Culture). NBT participated in the Conference. During the conference, several exhibitions focusing on the development of Hindi language and cultural
OCTOBER 2018 NBT NEWSLETTER 3 Book Review
The secrets of the wild and why we the identity of the “Devta ka Ghoda” or may never be able to fathom all its “Devta ro Ghodo” (Steed of the Jungle mysteries. God) and the story of how the writer encounters this strange creature distinctly s I was reading Steed of the Jungle lowers the temperature of the reader’s AGod, written by Raza H. Tehsin, I spine. The book abounds in tales like this began to think about the expectations — singular and mysterious — but the with which most of us begin reading idea isn’t to scare the reader stiff. Even as a book, and how, those expectations he recalls the legends of the many chalawa make or mar the experience. With Steed (apparitions), bhoot paleet (ghosts and of the Jungle God, I made the mistake spirits) and dakkan (witches) that dot the of thinking that this was one of those landscape of south Rajasthan, Tehsin is books that are chock-full of the sort of quick to point to the natural phenomena delightful tales from jungles, featuring that give birth to such tales. It could, as panthers with personality and mongooses happens in one story, simply be a pair of with moxie, that we’ve come to expect Great Horned Owls scaring the wits out of from those who write about the wild. Steed of the Jungle God – Thrilling the locals, or, as happens in another story, In these types of stories, one senses that Experiences in the Wild a bevy of thieving otters putting the fear this is a choice (deliberate or otherwise) Raza Tehsin (with Arefa Tehsin) of god into a group of friends. Still, some made by the writer in order to make the 978-81-237- ; Rs 575 questions cannot be answered, and the jungle and its denizens seem a little less thought with which one ends the book is alien and frightening, even as he or she is he helped combat guinea worm infections that, perhaps, one of the things we lose as careful to spell out that the said denizens —a major health issue — in a village in India loses her once thick forest cover, is are to be treated with the utmost respect southern Rajasthan and notes that the our sense of wonder and mystery. and caution. afflicted tribals feared death in the family - Pooja Pillai If you go in expecting tales of this sort not because of the loss of a loved one, but in Indian Express, 14 July 2018 from Steed of the Jungle God — as I did because they didn’t have money to cremate — then you’ll be disappointed — as I was, the dead. The writer draws our attention for a while. And that would be unfair to a to these lives, which are still written about Book Received book that actually contains many a strange so little, not with the avidity of one trying What is Spiritual About Being Punctual? and lovely story. Tehsin, a pioneering to make a sensation, but the sensitivity of Ramesh Bijlani; wildlife conservationist, was born to tell a person who has spent considerable time ISBN 81-88847-83-6; Rs 100 these stories, having been brought up living with and witnessing this misery. Publisher: Aurobindo Ashram, Delhi in a family that was entrenched in the But Tehsin’s main aim is to recall to Branch, Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi - hunter’s way of life. He and his siblings us the fact that the wild holds powers 110016 were introduced to guns at an early age, and secrets that we may never be able Shri Aurobindo and developed a love for the great outdoors to fathom. This is where the writing — The Mother were and were trained in the art and principles which sometimes seems bogged down pioneers in not only of shikar (“It is not sporting to shoot any with irrelevant recollections — really expounding a strongly life-affirming spiritual animal over waterholes, except big cats”). shines. Here, the panther in the jungle, philosophy but Tehsin’s goal with this book is not eyes glowing the dark, or the gargantuan also demonstrating the same as that of many other writers crocodile taking over a small village pond, in their Ashram at of the wild. His stories are not meant to acquires the dimensions of a legend, and, Pondicherry that the philosophy can reassure us that yes, langurs and sloth offers direct proof of why most animals bears and owls are “just like us only”, be put into practice. This book based — and not just the bovine variety — were on their philosophy, has more than 30 but to introduce us to a way of life that once worshipped as deities. essays on topics raning from punctuality is now almost extinct. And, while the Take the title story, for instance, to photography, topic which would tales are mostly nostalgic in tone, Tehsin which hints at the secrets contained rarely be considered to have anything doesn’t flinch from recounting instances within Panarwa, a dense jungle turned to do with spirituality. Yet, these essays of abject misery that he would frequently into a wildlife sanctuary, that lies to the show how each of these has a spiritual encounter in those long ago days. In the east of Udaipur. One of these secrets is angle to it. prologue, for example, he tells us of how
4 NBT NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2018 Excerpts
NBT India has published a book higher studies to the USA. Braja Kishore as well as public titled Braja Kishore Prasad : The Hero Prasad and Rajendra Prasad had taken life at Darbhanga, of Many Battles. Herein we reproduce the lead in the anti-purdah movement in sometime perhaps in excerpts from the chapter ‘Leader of 1928.... 1901 itself. Though the Champaran Affiliation’ - Editor Prasad was, we tend to underplay, he had started a genuine leader and opinion builder practice at Srinagar, ow did Braja Kishore Prasad get since his student days at Calcutta when Siwan in 1901, he Hinvolved and, that also, deeply Poor Boys’ Fund was established in was, almost one of the involved in the Champaran agrarian collaboration with Dr. Rajendra Prasad. blue boys, selected as imbroglio? As a pleader, he would have got His foresight and vision distinguished the first president of opportunities to argue for cases against the him at many a crucial occasion. The most the Governing Body of a newly established European planters of Saran, Champaran significant move was yet to come from school, M. L. Academy, Laheriasarai, and Darbhanga. His reputation as a this Councillor who would not hesitate Darbhanga. Even in those early days, at a successful vakil would have been of great to report a proposal like the constitution meeting of Darbhanga Boys Association, it help. of an Enquiry Committee to look was decided to start a new school for poor After moving to Darbhanga in 1906 independently, thoroughly and carefully students. This was decided in the context to practice in the court of District and into the relationship of peasants and their of the change taking place in Raj High Sessions Judge, he had established his ryots simply because he could be severely School, Darbhanga, where after the death commitment to his profession and his criticised. No, that was too casual a charge, of Maharaja Kameshwar Singh, tuition fearlessness in matters of professional whereas his charge against the Government fees were being charged from all students requirement by insisting in the Court that was serious—we have to look at the resulting in the discontinuation of studies he must be heard before any orders could very root of the problem expounding a of poor students. be passed. For the British Judge that was a relationship, normal working relationship, Darbhanga thus first brought Prasad new experience and for the Darbhanga Bar normal life pattern and peace of the poor to a cause close to his heart – education. and the clients, it was a new record, which farmers, surely because such a committee Darbhanga, then being an important had imparted a new dignity to the Bar. of officials and non-officials for a thorough centre of indigo agriculture and industry Braja Kishore Prasad, we may also independent enquiry has not been must have drawn the young lawyer. It say, was a man with a heightened social constituted and thus all facts have not may be mentioned that indigo cultivation, conscience. He was always restless about come to light. Luminge almost ridiculed importantly in vogue since the days of the progress of society. He wanted to him for asking over and over again for the Permanent Settlement, had spread over participate actively in all achievements by constitution of a committee for public the entire district by the turn of the 19th members of the society. For example, when enquiry. The public spirited man was at century. “By 1874 Darbhanga had the Rajendra Prasad had stood first among all a loss to find that the Government, the largest indigo concern in India. Thus the the successful candidates of Matriculation public Ombudsman, the saviour of public educationist and the lawyers and peasants’ Examination of Calcutta University, he had from predators, should look for dilatory “guide” found himself suddenly where thrown a large party at the Chhapra Bar tactics for undertaking its well-defined he was welcome and what he would Association. He had never met Rajendra charter of duties and responsibilities to have equally welcomed. While trying to Prasad before that episode. Likewise, when its people. He could understand all these understand the mystique of Champaran Dr. Ganesh Prasad had come back from only when he could remember that even and Braja Kishore Prasad, both as an Cambridge University, he had persuaded the Governor – General Lord Canning associate of Gandhi and in close company members of his community to participate was more concerned about the safety of with Gandhi, we should also do well to in the community dinner at his house the indigo factories and their oneness remember the continuous flowering of against all odds. He had also arranged than about ordinary citizens during 1857, his social consciousness, foresight for the for a debate over antediluvian rituals like when the Blue Mutiny of Bengal was just future of the country. This could take us to ex-communication after foreign travel. knocking at the doors of Calcutta and Lord the next milestone in the country’s move Braja Kishore Prasad had encouraged both William Bentick, as we have noted, turned towards freedom—the non-cooperation his daughters Vidyavati and Prabhavati a deaf ear and blind eye to all entreaties movement of 1920. to disregard the purdah system. He of ryots, who were clueless, helpless, Thus it was natural that one imbued would particularly encourage the young resourceless at the virtual enslavement with such extraordinary perceptions of Prabhavati to dress like a boy till 9 to 10 camps of the European planters. the present and future of the state and years and participate in public meetings. Prasad would have got exposed to the country should lead the Champaran He had indeed allowed Prabhavatiji to join problems associated with indigo cultivation agitation from much before it was labelled Sabarmati Ashram when JP had gone for at the initial stage of his professional career as a campaign, a Satyagraha movement.
OCTOBER 2018 NBT NEWSLETTER 5 6 NBT NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2018 Books On and By Gandhi
On 2nd October, the nation celebrates the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. To promote the ideals and values that Mahatma Gandhi stood for, both in his life and in his writings, the NBT continues to publish select books on and by Gandhi. - Editor
Gandhi-Tattva-Shatakam correspondence between Gandhi and Gandhi’s India: Unity in Diversity Dr M V Nadkarni Nehru. Together they portray a strikingly 978-81-237-5213-6 / Rs. 40 Written by noted uniqu relationship that was not only Gandhiji’s basic ideas underwent no change economist, the book personal but also political. during the forty years of his active public is the first Sanskrit life, but their expression and application publication of the Gandhi-Patel: Letters and Speeches varied according to circumstances. This is National Book Trust, Neerja Singh (Comp.) a brief anthology of Gandhiji’s views. India. This bilingual 978-81-237-5556-4 / Rs 60 book in Sanskrit and This collection brings out Pen-Portraits and Tributes by Gandhiji English, is a set of 108 some of the significant U S Mohan Rao verses conceived and correspondences between 81-237-0260-7 / Rs 30 presented in Sanskrit language covering Gandhi and Patel, their The book is a collection all the important aspects of Mahatma mutual respect for of Gandhiji’s sketches Gandhi’s life, work and philosophy. It each other and also the and tributes on endeavours to enrich the Sanskrit language differences between the two some of the eminent by introducing contemporary thinking for on various matters. personalities of his times who nfluenced him the benefit of the youngsters as well as Gandhiji and His Disciples general readers. greatly. It throws light Jayant Pandya on a fascinating aspect Bapu (Part I) 978-81-237-1116-4 / Rs 45 of Gandhiji’s personality; his observations F C Freitas This book is the story of twelve eminent and the ability to penetrate the innate 81-237-1026-7 / Rs 14 Gandhians, their initiation and shaping of goodness of human nature in a few words. The story of Gandhi from their personalities by the Mahatma and his birth till the Dandi their contribution to humanity. The Mahatma and the Poet Sabyasachi Bhattacharya (Comp.) March in pictures and Gandhi: A Life words. 978-81-237-2201-X / Rs 65 Krishna Kripalani Put together from Bapu (Part II) 978-81-237-0646-7 / Rs 60 various published and F C Freitas Mahatma Gandhi lived, suffered and died unpublished sources, 81-237-1025-9 / Rs 16 for his people. Yet it is not in relation this book is a collection This sequal to Part I tells to this country alone that his life has of letters and debates about Gandhi’s arrest significance. Nor is it only as a patriot exchanged between following the Salt Satyagraha or revolutionary reformer that he will Mahatma Gandhi and and ends with his assassination. be remembered by future generations. Rabindranath Tagore An interesting and absorbing account of between 1915-1941. Stories from Bapu’s Life the life and achievements of Mahatma Uma Shankar Joshi Gandhi. What is Hinduism? 978-81-237-0508-8 / Rs 19 Mahatma Gandhi In this book, the noted Gandhi: The Writer 81-237-0927-7 / Rs 35 Gujarati writer relates Bhabhani Bhattacharya A selection of Gandhiji’s some interesting episodes 81-237-3792-0 / Rs 70 articles drawn mainly from Bapu’s life. Written in Gandhi’s growth as one from Young India, a simple and heartwarming of the most influential the Harijan and style, the stories will appeal personalities of modern the Navajivan on to children. times is matched in no Hinduism. Written measure by his growth on different occasions, Gandhi-Nehru Correspondence: A as a prolific writer of these articles present a Selection considerable influence. It picture of Hindu Dharma in all its richness, Arjun Dev (Ed.) takes us on a fascinating comprehensiveness and sensitivity to the 978-81-237-6125-1 Rs 95 journey into the inner workings of Gandhi existential dilemmas of human existence. This collection brings together select as a writer.
OCTOBER 2018 NBT NEWSLETTER 7 Books on Sardar Patel RNI-39456/82 Postal Regd. No. DL-SW-1-4076/2018-20 The nation celebrates the 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on 31 October. Popularly known as the Iron Licenced to post without prepayment. Man of India, Patel played a significant role during India’s L.No. U(SW)21/2018-20 freedom struggle as well as post independence years. Two books Mailing date: 5/6 Same Month brought out by NBT, bring out the personality of Sardar Patel. Date of Publication: 01/10/2018
Gandhi-Patel: Letters and Speeches; Neerja Singh (Comp.) This collection brings out some of the significant New Delhi Rights Table correspondences between Gandhi and Patel, s part of the New Delhi World Book Fair, the NBT is their mutual respect for each other and also the organizing the 7th New Delhi Rights Table (NDRT) differences between the two on various matters of A policies and strategies. on 7 and 8 January 2019. The two day event brings together 978-81-237-5556-4; Rs 80 publishers, Rights’ agents, translators and editors from India and abroad to network and explore business opportunities Nehru-Patel: Agreement Within Differences; Neerja Singh (Ed) together. This collection brings together the correspondence The NDRT offers you B2B sessions in a refreshingly between Nehru and Patel. Set against the new business ambience. The unique format will enable tumultuous backdrop of India’s freedom struggle, participants to book their own table, meet each other and these conversations engaged with some of the most present their products and ideas. challenging debates of the day. What is striking For online Registration at the NDRT 2019, and for other about these exchanges is the candour and high details, kindly visit our website : www.newdelhiworldbookfair. intellectual acumen with which they addressed gov.in. many of these issues. Disagreements were aplenty, We look forward to your participation at the NDRT but they also display a willingness to set these aside for the common 2019. pursuit of national goals. A collection that inspires as much as it For further details please write to: informs. 978-81-237-5874-9; Rs 95 [email protected]
NBT Newsletter is the house magazine of the National On India Government Service Book Trust, India — an autonomous organisation of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Higher Education, Government of India.
The views expressed in the signed articles do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Trust.
Editor: Binny Kurian Editorial Associate: Surekha Sachdeva Production Officer: Narender Kumar
National Book Trust, India Nehru Bhawan, 5 Institutional Area, Vasant Kunj, Phase-II New Delhi-110 070 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.nbtindia.gov.in Readers are requested to write to the editor expressing their views about the NEWSLETTER.
Printed and published by Satish Kumar on behalf of National Book Trust, India and printed at Aravali Printers and Publishers Pvt. Ltd., W-30 Phase-II, Okhla Industrial Area, New Delhi-110020, and published at National Book Trust, India, Nehru Bhawan, 5 Institutional Area, Phase-II, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070. Editor: Binny Kurian.
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8 NBT NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2018