Annual Subscription Rs 5.00; 50 paise per copy January 2014 • Vol 32 No. 1

Contents Sharjah International Book Fair

Chandigarh Book Fair 2 NBT-Metro Bookshop Inaugurated 3 Singapore: Gateway for Asian Children’s Content 3 National Book Week at Bhubaneswar 4 Literary Programme at Madikeri 4 rganised around the theme ‘For Book Trust, participated with a select love of the written word’, the 32nd contingent of 60 Indian publishers at the Book Release Functions O 5 edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair. Housed in a special India Pavilion, Seminar on Urdu Short Stories Fair was held from 6-16 November 2013 the Indian stalls attracted hundreds of 6 at the Sharjah Expo Centre. The Fair was visitors. NBT displayed a range of books NBT Moga Book Fair inaugurated by HH Dr. Shaikh Sultan bin in English, Urdu, Hindi and Malayalam 6 Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council brought out by a cross-section of publishers NBT Book Fair member and ruler of Sharjah. from across the country. 7 The 10 day event drew over 1,000 Among the Indian celebrities who Weekend Getaway publishers from 53 countries including visited the NBT stall included Dr. APJ 7 23 Arab countries. Over 500 activities Abdul Kalam, former President of India, Pick of the Month including book signings, readings, Shri Adoor Gopalakrishnan, eminent discussions, cultural presentations, film maker, Shri Ruskin Bond, popular workshops, activities for children, special children’s writer, Shri sessions on Emirati Science fiction and a and Ms , theatre and film flavour of international cuisine provided personalities, Prof. K.V. Thomas, Minister interactive sidelights at the Fair. of State, Govt. of India and Ravinder The NBT also participated at the Singh. Rights Table held from 3-5 November Shri Samaresh Kumar, Asst. Director 2013 with over 200 recentl titles. At the (I&P) and Shri Rajiv Choudhury, Asst. end of the session which had more than Director (Exh.) represented NBT. 100 publishers from across the globe, NBT signed interest agreements for books on Gandhi Who: Questions to 50 Interesting with publishers from Answers Syria, Azerbaijan and Bal Phondke Egypt. 978-81-237-6975-2; Rs 150 The National Chandigarh Book Fair he Chandigarh educators and parents, TBook Fair organised Readers’ Club Orientation for by the National Book school teachers, workshop Trust, India and Union for children on Spin A Territory Administration, Tale, Treasure Hunt and Chandigarh was held at the NBT Chandigarh Book Parade Grounds, Sector 17, Fair Express, workshop on Chandigarh from 13-18 Enactment of a Story and November 2013. The Fair Dance-Drama for children was inaugurated by Shri and teachers, Career Shivraj V. Patil, Hon’ble Guidance for Young Adults Governor of Punjab and on Publishing as a Career, Administrator, UT of workshop for budding Chandigarh. Shri Patil authors on Creative Writing, observed that, “Books Career Guidance session are instruments for better on Book/Graphic Design as understanding of human a Career for young adults beings and knowledge. and Storytelling Marathon Such book fairs have special significance Literature (NCCL), a wing of NBT featuring children, teachers and young to promote book reading culture in the organised several workshops, discussions, authors. These programmes were society.” He also emphasised upon the plays, interactive sessions and other coordinated by Ms Suman Bajpayi, Dr e-conversion of printed books. He felt literary and cultural programmes for Shekhar Sarkar, Ms Kshama Sharma, Ms that e-books would eliminate the barrier children, young adults and general readers Asha Shiklani and Shri Subir Roy. of distance and time, thereby making during the Fair. These included workshop The legendary athlete Shri Milkha books accessible to the book lovers across on Skills of Storytelling for teachers, Singh, Padmashri awardee, Dr Surjit Patar, the globe easily. And to cope with the poet, Ms Tara Deshpande, author, Shri changing trends, he requested parents to Keki N. Daruwalla, poet, and young encourage their children to read more. authors like Shri Ravi Subramaniam, Ms Shri V.K. Singh, Principal Nitika Singh and Shri Sachin Garg took Secretary, Finance and Education, UT part in various reading and interactive of Chandigarh delivered the welcome sessions. address. Shri M.A. Sikandar, Director, A large number of book lovers, NBT spoke on the importance of students, teachers, educationists and promotion of reading and publishing in scholars participated in these events the country and steps taken by NBT for which were coordinated by Shri Manas promotion of Indian books and authors Ranjan Mahapatra, Editor (NCCL), and abroad. Shri M.L. Bhatia, Asstt. Editor, from National Centre for Children’s NBT.

2 NBT NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2014 NBT-Metro Bookshop Inaugurated Speaking on the occasion, Shri A. Sethumadhavan, Chairman, NBT said that NBT continues to explore new avenues to promote books and reading and to make books easily accessible to the readers. The National Book Trust, India and DMRC joined hands in this unique venture to promote books and encourage reading habit amongst the masses. As It is a good beginning, and National part of the initiative, NBT will open cent discount on purchase of books for all “Book Trust, India has a wide range special book shops at important Metro metro card holders and DMRC employees. of books covering all kinds of genres. I stations. Besides Kashmere Gate, NBT- Commuters can become NBT Book Club hope this initiative will promote reading Metro Bookshops will be soon opened at members by paying Rs 100 and avail 20 habits among commuters,” said Shri Delhi University and Central Secretariat per cent discount. NBT will offer Book Mangu Singh, Managing Director, stations. The initiative, the Trust hopes, Club Membership to interested employees Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will encourage people to read books while of the DMRC free of cost against which while inaugurating the first NBT-Metro travelling. they can also avail 20 per cent discount on Bookshop at Kashmere Gate Metro Among the incentives that the sale price of NBT books at all NBT outlets station. bookshops will offer readers is a 15 per across the country. Singapore: Gateway for Asian Children’s Content n interactive session with Mr Singapore and reach out to the rest of AR. Ramachandran, Executive the world. He further added that India Director, National Book Development and Singapore will be celebrating 50 Council of Singapore on the theme years of diplomatic relationship in the Singapore as a Gateway for Asian year 2015 and to mark this occasion Children’s Content was held at the India both the countries should strengthen International Centre (IIC), New Delhi their ties through cultural, trade and on 21 November 2013. The talk was other exchanges throughout the year. held at the backdrop of India as the “The Focus Country Presentation of Focus Country at the Asian Festival of India in the AFCC 2014 may be a nice Children’s Content (AFCC) to be held beginning,” he added. in 2014. is hungry for content and India can feed that In his presidential address, Prof. AFCC is held annually in Singapore appetite for content. Singapore has a large Avadhesh Kumar Singh, Director, School by National Book Development Council Asian population and has a multi-lingual of Translation Studies and Training, of Singapore and is one of the major events culture, excellent infrastructure, cultural IGNOU emphasised on the need to forge in the world for promoting children’s sensitivity, excellent library facilities and cultural ties with Singapore. content. National Book Trust, India as the gateway to the rest of the world. He urged Mr M.A. Sikandar, Director, NBT nodal body will present India as a Focus Indian publishers to establish their units in while welcoming the guests appreciated Country. The presentation will Mr Ramachandran’s pioneering include a special Pavilion with efforts to promote reading a collective display of Indian culture among the masses. children’s books in the Festival Coordinated by Dr S. Majumdar, and will hold various events and Chief Librarian, IIC and Shri sessions on Indian children’s M.R. Mahapatra, Editor, NBT, literature. the talk was organised jointly by Focussing on the the National Book Trust, India opportunities that Singapore can and India International Centre. provide to India for promoting Several authors, publishers and Indian content across the world, book lovers took part in this Mr Ramachandran felt that Asia event. JANUARY 2014 NBT NEWSLETTER 3 National Book Week at Bhubaneswar A home without books Achyutanand Patinka “is a home without God Shrestha Galpa and and doesn’t deserve to Gandhi-Nehru Patralapa. be called a home,” said The release was followed Shri Achyutanand Pati, by a discussion on the titles eminent Odia short story released. Dr. Shashadhar writer, while inaugurating Das, Prof. Nandakishore the National Book Week Parida, Prof. Bauribandhu programme at Bitana, Kar and Shri Sunakar Jajpur, Odisha on 15 Mahakul spoke on the November 2013. occasion. The programme A symposium on the was organised by ‘Promotion of Reading National Book Trust, Habit in Rural Areas’ was India in association with organised in the second Junabhadra College, Junabhadra College, welcomed the session. Dr. Ekadashi Bitana. guests and commended NBT’s efforts in Padhi, researcher and educationist, Shri Speaking on the occasion, popularising Odia language and literature Pravakar Satpathi, editor and poet, Dr. Shri Adhyapak Biswaranjan, noted in rural areas. Rudra Narayan Prusty, President of columnist and writer talked about the Twelve books including two originals Jaipur District Writers’ Association, Shri importanceof reading and the role of and eight translations were released on the Suryamani Khuntia, noted translator, Smt. books in the overall transformation occasion. Among the books released were Bidyutprava Das, well-known poet and of human consciousness. Shri Nadiya Krushna Prasad Mishranka Shrestha Galpa, Shri Prabodh Kumar Samal, an activist in Bihari Mohanty, well-known library movement for the rural children’s writer and the Guest areas, presented their views on of Honour at the function, the subject. All the speakers focussed on the need for stressed on the importance and setting-up of more libraries benefits of reading. Prof. Bijay and readers clubs in rural Kumar Satpathy, Member, areas for promotion of reading Odia Advisory Panel, NBT, habit. presided over the session and Presiding over the meeting, Shri Damodar Behera offered Prof. Sourindra Barik,noted the vote of thanks. poet said that books help us to The programme was know our inner self. Shri Subhas coordinated by Dr. Pramod Sar, Chandra Rout, Principal, Odia editor, NBT. Literary Programme at Madikeri talk on ‘The Role of Books in books will stay with us during our AMy Life’ was organised on 19 life time and would help mould our November 2013 at Kaveri Kalakshetra, personality. Madikeri, Karnataka as part of the Well known writer Shri K.R. National Book Week celebrations. Vidyadhara and a noted theatre artiste The event was organised Shri T.N. Srinivasa Naidu spoke on the in collaboration with Allaranda importance of books in their lives and Rangachavadi, a literary and cultural career. Smt. Kalmadanda Saraswathi, organisation, Madikeri. Distinguished retired principal of a local college personalities from literature, sports and who presided over the function also theatre spoke on the importance of spoke on the importance of books and books in their lives. the function. “The book is the only friend reading habit. Dr. Nataraj Huliyar, eminent and guide in our loneliness,” he said. He Shri H. Nagarajappa, Kannada Editor, Kannada writer, was the Chief Guest at added that the knowledge acquired from NBT coordinated the event.

4 NBT NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2014 Book Release Functions Almora Bareilly Bhatt Kamal, Dr Panda, Uday he National Book Trust, India he National Book Trust, India in Kirola, Nirmala Singh, Dr Karuna Pande, Torganised a Book Release and Tassociation with Titli Society For Gudwin Masih, Ramesh Gautam and Dr Discussion session at a function in Almora, Children Welfare organised a book release Monika Agarwal rendered their poems to Uttarakhand, in association with Kumaon and discussion session at Bareilly, Uttar a packed audience. University’s Department of Journalism, on Pradesh on 16 November 2013, as part of The event was coordinated by Pankaj 26 October 2013. its National Book Week celebrations. Chaturvedi, Hindi editor from NBT. The programme began with the release Dharamshala of two books for he National Book Trust, India children in Hindi, Torganised a book release programme published by the NBT: in association with Bhasha Sanskriti Space Shuttle and Vibhag (Department of Language, Saat Suraj Sattaavan Art and Culture), Dharamshala on 20 Ta re. The books were November 2013 at Bhachat Bhawan, released by children, Dharamshala, as part of its National Book and they also held Week celebrations around the country. a discussion on the Releasing the books, Dr Devendra books released. Mohd. Gupta, Director, Department of Adil and Mohd. Nabil Language, Art and Culture, Dharamshala The book released on the occasion also presented papers about the books. commended NBT’s efforts in promoting was Meri Yaadon ke Pahad written by Speaking on the occasion, Ms books and organising such programmes. Devendra Mewari. Supriya Aron, Former Mayor, Bareilly He assured NBT of his Department’s full Speaking on the support for any future programmes to be occasion, Shekhar held in the region. Pathak, Padmashri Published by the NBT in Hindi, awardee, congratulated the books released on the occasion were: the author and described Himachal ke Lok Geet, Prem Janmejay: the book as a unique Sankalit Vyangya Rachnayen, Balram ki work with its description Sankalit Rachnayen, Vidyasagar Nautiyal of the rural life, use of ki Sankalit Kahaniyan, and Chandrakanta: local Kumaoni words, Sankalit Kahaniyan. Prof. Ramamurti and stories depicting Vasudev Prashant presented a detailed real-life emotions. paper on the books released. Shri Batrohi was Shri Rajkumar Sharma, Dr Ved of the view that an Prakash Agni, Dr Gautam Sharma Vyathit, interesting characteristic of the novel is commended NBT for publishing good Dr Pratyush Guleri, Dr Rekha Daddwal, the author’s story-within-a-story style of books for children and contributing to and Dr Meenakshi Datta also spoke on the writing. good literature for children. She also spoke occasion. Dr Govind Singh, Shri Shamsher about the contributions of Ms Swaraj Dr Lalit Kishore Mandora, Hindi Singh Bisht, Jeevan Singh Mehta, Prof. Shuchi Aron to children’s literature. editor, NBT coordinated the programme. R.S. Pathni, Dr Dev Singh Pokhariyal, Shri Suryanath Singh Dr Bipan Kumar Sharma, and Dr expressed concern on the Pradeep also spoke about the book at growing technology taking length. over children’s reading habit, While thanking the NBT, Shri and said that the children’s Devendra Mewari, author of the book, writers have a challenge to face talked about his hypodiegesis style of and need to write in a manner writing that he used in the book and said that children are encouraged that he inherited this style from his elder to read more often. sister. The programme Dr Lalit Kishore Mandora, Hindi concluded with a session editor, NBT coordinated the programme. on poetry, where Kamlesh JANUARY 2014 NBT NEWSLETTER 5 Seminar on Contemporary Urdu Short Stories he National Book Trust, Urdu writers are not coming TIndia organised a seminar on forth from their niche to write ‘Trends in Contemporary Urdu on contemporary issues. Short Stories’ on 17 November Presenting his views on 2013 at Mirza Ghalib College, the topic, Shri Masoom Aziz Gaya (Bihar). The seminar was Kazmi said that the rural life part of NBT’s National Book and its stories are missing in Week celebrations. contemporary Urdu literature. The inaugural session began also spoke on the occasion. with the release of four books in Dr Ahmad Sagir said that Urdu, published by the NBT, writers post 80s also need to India, namely: Aaj ki Kahaniyan, be discussed; they cannot be Ila, Ek Antheen Talaash, and ignored, and Dr Ashraf Jahan Srinivas Ramanujan. The books seconded the thought. were released by Prof. Abdus Samad and setting in some of the Urdu stories. Dr Ain Tabish, Prof. Mehfuz-ul- Prof. Hussainuryahak. Prof. Hussain-ul-Haq said that though Hasan, Prof. Afsa Zafar, Dr Shahid Rizvi, Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Abdus the contemporary Urdu stories discuss the Prof. Gulab Asdak, Sayyad Ahmad Quadri Samad was of the opinion that although various aspects of human life, however, the and Mushtaq Ahmad Noori also spoke on globalisation has had an effect on Urdu topics are changing as per the changing the topic. Dr Shams Equbal, Urdu Editor, literature, we still see a glimpse of rural times. Shri Shamoil Ahmad felt that the NBT coordinated the event. NBT Moga Book Fair he National Book Hyder diyan Chaunviyan TTrust, India in Kahaniyan, Chandradhar association with Guru Sharma Guleri diyan Nanak College, Moga Charchit Kahaniyan, organised the nine-day Ashapoorna Devi diyan Moga Book Fair in the Shreshtha Kahaniyan, grounds of the College, Yungnama Singh ate from 28 September to 6 Firangiyan, Padarthi October 2013. Karishme, Maye ni Maye, With over 50 Indira Priyadarshini, publishers displaying a Suryabala diyan Chaunviyan wide range of books in Kahaniyan, Maut de Intezar Punjabi, Hindi, English Vich, Metro da Maza, and Urdu, spread over 60 Meri Pehli Hawai Yatra, stalls, the Moga Book Fair Southall, and Nanak Singh saw a steady stream of book The inaugural session also saw the ki Chuninda Kahaniyan. Dr lovers, students, teachers, librarians, media release of 12 books in Punjabi and one Tarsem presented a detailed paper on the persons and celebrities visiting the Fair in Hindi, published by the NBT. The books released. grounds. books released were namely: Qurratulain The Fair also witnessed a number Inaugurating the Fair, Prof. of literary programmes being held Gurdial Singh, eminent writer and by the National Book Trust, India, Jnanpith awardee said that books including a seminar on ‘Decline in are our real friends who guide us all the Reading Habit among Readers: our life. Shri K.L. Garg, Shri Baldev Problems and Solution’, a discussion Singh Moga, Shri Darshan Singh, session on ‘Current situation of Dr Tarsinder Kaur, and Shri Jaswant Children’s Literature in Punjabi’, Kanwal also spoke on the occasion. ‘Meet Your Favourite Author’, Dr Baldev Singh Baddan, Chief ‘Storytelling Session’, ‘Hindi and Editor & Joint Director, NBT also Punjabi Poetry Session’, and a spoke on the occasion. cultural meet. 6 NBT NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2014 NBT Mumbai Book Fair he NBT Mumbai Book Marathi poetry after 1960. TFair was organised from Chaired by Shri Satish 29 November to 3 December Kalsekar, the Marathi poetry 2013 at MMRDA Grounds, reading session saw Prof. D. Bandra-Kundla Complex, Chandrakanth Patil, Prof. Mumbai. The five-day book Vasant Patankar, Shri Nilkanth fair was inaugurated by Shri Kadam, Shri Vasant Gurjar, Balchandre Nemade, eminent Shri Prafulla Shiledar, Shri Marathi poet, novelist and Varjesh Solanki and Shri critic and Sahitya Akademi Avinash Gaikwad rendering awardee. Shri Satish Kalsekar, their poems. Marathi poet and editor was A symposium on Marathi poetry A symposium on Cinema the Guest of Honour. The function was chaired by Prof. Chandrakant Patil was and Literature was also organised during presided over by Shri A. Sethumadhavan, organised. Prof. Vasant Patnekar, poet the Fair. The symposium was presided Chairman, NBT. Shri M.A. Sikandar, and critic, and Shri Nilkanth Kadam, over by Prof. Kamlekar Sontakke, Sangeet Diretor, NBT was also present on the celebrated poet, presented papers on Natak Akademi awardee. Shri Sanjay occasion. Pawar, playwright and film script writer, Over 50 publishers from across the Shri Kumar Sohoni and Shri Abhiram country participated at the Fair. Many Bhadkamkar participated in the discussion. literary programmes including poetry Later a play reading of the popular reading sessions were organised during the Marathi play Jyacha Tyacha Prashna written Fair. by Shri Bhadkamkar was organised. Weekend Getaway picnic was organized for the NBT fancy of children Aemployees and their families on 23 and adults alike. November 2013, at the Pratapgarh Farms Besides, people had Resort, about 85 km from Delhi, the day- the opportunity long retreat was a refreshing and enjoyable to participate time for the employees who took part in in traditional it with the respective members of their occupations like family. charkha weaving, Located in the sylvan surroundings wheat grinding of swathes of farmland beyond the town and churning of lots of fun and frolic, everybody took to of Jajjar, in Haryana, the Resort was the milk. There was also an exhibition dancing to the beats of dhol and music. At modelled to showcase the traditional of pottery where people enjoyed making the end of the day, all children were given culture of Haryana. Games like gulel, gulli small pots. presents. danda, matki phod, carom, archery, tug- People also enjoyed camel ride, tractor Well organized, the picnic brought of-war, dart, air gun, etc. occupied the ride and a variety of local cuisine. With together one and all.

JANUARY 2014 NBT NEWSLETTER 7 AUD Students Visit NBT RNI-39456/82 Postal Regd. No. DL-SW-1-4076/12-14 Licenced to post without prepayment. L.No. U(SW) 21/2012-2014 Mailing date: 5/6 Same Month Date of Publication: 01/01/2014

Students of the post-graduate diploma course in publishing of the Ambedkar University, Delhi, visited NBT as part of their National Book Trust, India training programme. They held interactive sessions with officers wishes all its readers a very of the Editorial, Production, Exhibition and other sections. The sessions gave them a glimpse into the working of a publishing Happy New Year house. Later they also visited the NCCL library and the NBT bookshop. The post-graduate diploma course in publishing at Ambedkar University is a part of NBT’s initiative to collaborate with universities to offer training courses in publishing. NEW DELHI WORLD BOOK FAIR Focus on Children’s Literature 15–23 February 2014 Other highlights: Pragati Maidan, New Delhi CEOSpeak Guest of Honour: POLAND New Delhi Rights Table www.newdelhiworldbookfair.gov.in Cultural Presentations

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 neces- sarily reflect the official views of the Trust.

Editor: Binny Kurian Editorial Associate: Kanchan Wanchoo Sharma 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.

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8 NBT NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2014