Quick viewing(Text Mode)

Veergatha Books Launched

Veergatha Books Launched

Annual Subscription Rs 5.00; 50 paise per copy February 2016 • Vol 34 No. 2

Contents Veergatha Books Launched

Veergatha Books Launched 1-2

Book on Sir Lallubhai Samaldas Released 2

New World Book Fair: NDWBF Inauguration 3 Chinese Pavilion 4 Theme Pavilion 5

Children’s Pavilion 6 There have been a very few efforts added that a league of ex-servicemen may “to remember the deeds of the great be formed in each state of the country that Young Voices New Writings 7 men who created the history of our would provide physical training to the country,” said Smt Smriti Zubin Irani, children and make them aware about the Hon’ble Minister for Human Resource contributions of the great personalities. National Library, Kolkata 8 Development while launching a set of five She urged NCERT and CBSE to illustrated books for children at a fuction include these books as reference reading held on 25 January 2016 at the Air Force material for children in schools. Pick of the Month Auditorium, Subroto Park, . She said that the stories of heroes These books in English and Hindi have like Sam Bahadur and Jaswant Singh been published by the National Book may also be written. She also felt that the Trust, under its newly introduced books on the contribution of civilians like ‘Veergatha’ series. Gaura Devi who came forward to save Smt. Irani expressed her happiness environment may also be published. that the Ministry of Defence and National In his address, General Dalbir Singh, Book Trust, India have dedicated the the Chief of Army Staff said that it is a books on the Param Veer Chakra awardees significant step to document the bravery to the nation. She added that these books of our real time heroes and disseminate have been brought out to make children it across a wide readership. He informed aware about the contributions of these that the Ministry of Human Resource Awardees: great men. Development has taken up an initiative Major She observed that the ex-servicemen ‘Seema Darshan’ under which the children Major across the country remind us about the from Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya contributions of the brave soldiers. She Schools and other schools are being sent Second Lt. Arun Khetrapal Captain FEBRUARY 2016 NBT NEWSLETTER 1 to the border to spend a few days with the Param Veer Chakra awardees including Animesh Debnath, Nipen Bhuyan and soldiers. Major Somnath Sharma (1947 war), Samudra Kajal Saikia. These books have Smt Irani also felicitated the family Major Shaitan Singh (1962 war), CQMH been published in Hindi also. members of the Param Veer Chakra Abdul Hamid (1965 war), Second Veergatha series seek to introduce awardees during the function. Lieutenant (1971 war) the great acts of bravery of the Param Shri Vinay Sheel Oberoi, Secretary, and Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey Veer Chakra awardees to instill a sense MHRD; Shri R. Subrahmanyam, (1999 battle). of inspiration and patriotism in children Additional Secretary, MHRD; Shri The books have been developed with at an early age. The Param Veer Chakra Baldeo Bhai Sharma, Chairman, NBT and the support of the Ministry of Defence (PVC) is the highest gallantry award for Dr Rita Chowdhury, Director, NBT were and the Ministry of Human Resource officers and other enlisted personnel of all also present on the occasion. Development. All the five scripts have military branches of India for the highest The five books released on the been prepared by Gaurav Sawant and degree of valour in the presence of the occasion illustrate the saga of bravery of illustrated by Fajruddin, Dheeraj Bhatia, enemy. Introduced on 26th January 1950, this award may be given posthumously. Book on Sir Lallubhai Samaldas Released ir Lallubhai Samaldas: owned. Lallubhai, together with SA Portrait, published by a group of like minded citizens NBT, India and authored by of Bombay, set up the Bank Aparna Basu, was released on of India in 1906. He helped 28 December 2015 at the India set up the Bank of Baroda and International Centre, New Delhi. was its Chairman for many Smt. Vidyaben Shah, a renowned years. He was founder Director social worker, former President of and Chairman of the Bombay the Delhi Social Welfare Board, Life Assurance Corporation. the Indian Council of Child Besides, he established many new Welfare and NDMC, released industries. He was a member the books. Speaking on the occasion, she He also spoke of how he had fought for of the Bombay Legislative Council and recalled her days as a graduate student in fiscal autonomy. He said that Lallubhai of the Imperial Legislative Council. Samaldas College, Bhavnagar which was began as a Moderate in politics believing She highlighted his contribution to the founded by Sir Lallubhai in memory of his in the justice and fairness of British rule Cooperative movement and in the field of father. Her husband, late Shri Manubhai in India but these views gradually changed education. Shah, Industries and Commerce Minister by the 1930s and he came much closer to The book discussion was chaired in ’s Cabinet, was also Gandhiji’s ideas. by Shri Kisan Mehta, Vice President of educated at Samaldas College. While introducing the book, Aparna the Gujarat Education Society and a Dr. Nasir Tyabji, former Professor Basu said that she wanted to make a larger long standing member of the Managing and Director of the Centre for Jawaharlal public aware of Lallubhai’s contribution Committee and Governing Body of Nehru Studies at Jamia MIllia Islamia, to the making of modern India. The Sardar Patel School and Gujarati Club. He spoke about Sir Lallubhai’s contribution in ideals of economic nationalism inspired spoke of his long association with various building up the Co-operative movement him and he wanted to set up enterprises members of Lallubhai’s family. in Bombay state and industries such as owned and managed by Indians. Banking Smt. Nira Jain, Chief Editor, NBT the Scindia Steam Navigation Company. and insurance were then entirely British India, coordinated the programme.

2 NBT NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2016 New Delhi World Book Fair

January remained a hectic month for the National Book Trust, enthusiasm. We covered many of the happenings in the Fair India as it organised the 24th edition of the New Delhi World Daily, a bulletin published every day during the Fair. We are Book Fair at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 9 to 17 January reproducing some of the write-ups published in the Fair Daily 2016. A number of events took place at the Fair in which a that gives a ringside view of the New Delhi World Book Fair number of authors and booklovers participated with great 2016. NDWBF Inauguration

Today we not only celebrate the texts like Kautilya’s Arthashastra, she said Yatris, along with a photographer, a “exponential growth of the publishing that in our history we find resonance of creative writer and a historian to countries business both in India and China, but also relationship with China. Welcoming the like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the human interest in it,” said Ms Smriti Chinese delegation she emphasised, “We Cambodia and to learn about Zubin Irani, Union Minsiter of Human believe in Athithi Devo Bhavaa and we the influence of Indian culture. Resource Development while declaring worship the guests as we worship our gods. “The Vedas are the first repositories of open the 24th New Delhi World Book We hope that Chinese will feel at home in culture not only of India but also of the Fair at Pragati Maidan. India.” world,” said Shri S.L. Bhyrappa, eminent Welcoming China as the Guest of Appreciating the efforts of NBT in Kannada author. On the importance and Honour Country she observed, “China creating a platform for young writers to role that epics Ramayana and Mahabharata was invited to be the guest country after the publish their works, she observed that played in our culture, Bhyrappa said, “The visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping here publication of such writings would not be poets, writers, artists and scholars have not last year where he signed a memorandum limited to a few languages but it should only been inspired but also depended on of understanding with Prime Minister be brought out in 22 Indian languages. the epics for themes in Indian classical Narendra Modi.” Referring to the She also informed that select children dance forms like Kathakali, Bharatnatyam, instances of China mentioned in ancient from various states will be sent as Shodh Odissi etc. According to him, Sanskrit is

FEBRUARY 2016 NBT NEWSLETTER 3 not a dead language as some say, but rather countries, he said that both are known Literature, culture and art are closely it is very much alive. We must take efforts for their resplendent ancient civilizations. related to everyday life, said eminent to revive it as a medium of communication Neighboured by the ancient silk road, writer, Mr Liu Zhenyun, and books are a particularly in areas of administration and people of the two countries have enjoyed solace to our troubled times. science & technology. Shri Bhyrappa was mutual communications for more than Earlier, in his welcome address, Shri the Guest of Honour at the function. 2000 years—leaving a glorious chapter in Baldeo Bhai Sharma, Chairman, NBT “India is an amazing country with the history of cultural exchanges. India, said this year the Theme Pavilion a profound and diversified culture. I am In his brief address H.E. Ambassador will showcase the unity in diversity of our amazed by the rapid development of India Le Yucheng said, “The New Delhi rich and diverse cultural heritage. It will which seems to be at a colourful corridor World Book Fair has already become an particularly focus on books and the theme that connects its glorious past with the influential event among the publishers exhibition will display the evolution of present”, said Mr Sun Shoushan, Vice across the world.” books from Bojpatras to ebooks. Minister of SAPPFRT, People’s Republic “With every passing year the New Thanking the dignitaries assemeb of China. Delhi World Book Fair is acquiring a led, Dr. Rita Chowdhury, Director, NBT Paying his respect to those who brand identity of its own and gaining India, said that the presence of China will have contributed to the many exchanges in popularity,” said Shri L C Goyal, enrich the Fair and also hoped that the and cooperation between the two Chairman and Managing Director, ITPO. Fair would be a treat for booklovers. Inaugural Ceremony at the Chinese Pavilion he Chinese Pavilion at the Mr. Le Yucheng, Chinese TNew Delhi World Book Fair Ambassador to India, said, was inaugurated by Ms. Smriti “Book preserves history and Zubin Irani, Minister of HRD, culture of nations.” He also Govt. of India. In her inaugural talked about the great Indian address, she welcomed the epic like Mahabharata, and its Chinese delegation and remarked legendary writers of both the on the diversity treasured in countries like Tagore, Prabodh India including the old Indian Chandra Bagchi, Xianlin, etc. manuscripts. She also added He further added, “It is fair to that there is much in Indian say that the history of cultural civilization that can enrich our exchange between the two cultural bond. She expressed countries has been amazing and her delight that China has kept would continue to be so.” its theme as the Renaissance of Earlier, the opening Civilization and that such platforms have Guest of Honour at the NDWBF 2016. ceremony of the Pavilion began with the built up and strengthened China-India He mentioned that it was possible because playing of their traditional instrument relations. of the MoU which was signed between Pipa. Calling for cordial Sino-Indian NBT, India, and SAPPRFT, in the The Pavilion hosted a number of relations, Mr. Sun Shoushan, Vice presence of Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble events throughout the Fair days including Minister, China, said that China feels , and Mr. Xi book releases, signing of agreements, honoured and proud to be invited as the Jinping, Honourable President of China. discussions, cultural events, etc.

4 NBT NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2016 Theme Pavilion ividh Bharat, the Theme including ‘Many Languages VPavilion at the Fair, was One Nation: Reflections on inaugurated by Ms Smriti Indian Literature’; ‘Science Zubin Irani, Honourable through Sanskrit: Exploring Minister of HRD, Govt. of Possibilities’; ‘Indian India. The Theme Pavilion Plurality as Expressed in showcased the unity in Indian Literatures’; ‘Bharata’s diversity of India through Natyashastra and India’s a select display of books Performance Tradition’; in all Indian languages, ‘India’s Secular Literary Indian classical and folk Tradition: Arthshastra performances, and panel and Thirukkural’; ‘Indian discussions. Epics as reflected in Indian On the occasion, Ms Regional Languages and Irani released nine new titles Literature’. brought out by NBT India. Also, the Pavilion The books in Asamiya, was enlivened by a rich Bangla, Gujarati, Hindi, repertoir of performances, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia culture, philosophy, knowledge, history, that include all the classical dances of and Tamil, published under the new language and literature from ancient to India—Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Navlekhan series introduce young writers, contemporary times. There were series of Mohiniyattam, Odissi, Kathak, mostly being published for the first time. panels showcasing the evolution books Sattriya, Manipuri, Kathakali; dramatic With a more than 5000 year old in India from Bhoj Patra to ebooks. Also performances based on the works of civilization that continues uninterrupted showcased were the panels on evolution of Sankaradeva, Jaidev, Dinkar, Bhavabhuti, the Indian cultural legacy is characterized scripts of various Indian langauges. Vidyapati, Narasinh Mehta, Bhasa, by a certain plurality, rich diversity and The specially designed Theme Thiruvalluvar, among others; the folk multilingual tonal hues. From north Pavilion hosted a series of discussions on performances of Garba-Raas, Gharaiya to south and east to west, the diversity various aspects of India’s cultural heritage tribal dance, Mayurbhanj Chhau, manifests in peoples, dress, cuisine, Bamboo dance, Chari dance, Jhumar tradition, knowledge systems, art and dance, Mapila songs, Karagattam, Lavni performances. The Cultural Heritage of dance, Oggu Katha, Kamsale folk dance, India was chosen as the Theme for this Toor-Thali tribal folk music dance among edition of the Fair in order to connect others. booklovers with the cultural heritage of Classical renditions included Sikh the country. Bhakti songs, Bhajans, Zikir (Sufi music), At the Theme Pavilion there was Carnatic, Choir, Jain Geet, Hindustani a display of about 1000 books on and Buddhist Devotional Songs.

FEBRUARY 2016 NBT NEWSLETTER 5 Children’s Pavilion rof. Hrushikesh Senapati, Director, PNational Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) inaugurated the Children’s Pavilion at the New Delhi World Book Fair. He said that the activities at the Pavilion will help in the overall development of participating children and they will have an opportunity to learn new things and share their views. He urged children present on the occasion to read books and involve themselves in activities as it will enhance their creativity and ability to comprehend things effectively. “I welcome you all to the festival of books, especially children,” said Dr academy arranges training for the students and students as each and every lesson Rita Chowdhury, Director, NBT. She of Fine Arts and self taught artists of small taught can also be saved. hoped that the children coming from the towns to help them learn the intricacies of There was also a reading wall to check different parts of the country will enjoy the drawing and sketching. the level of reading of a child, learning activities being organized at the Pavilion. The students of the academy Habib tools, story retelling aids among others. Prof. B K Tripathi, Joint Director, Ali, Shubham, Swati Gupta, Vibhuti and Another stall to mentioned was that NCERT also spoke on the occasion. He Pooja Sahu interacted with the children of Care India, an NGO working for a said that the interaction with children visiting the Pavilion and helped them last few decades for girl’s education and during such events not only help them learn the art of sketching and drawing. empowerment of women. understand the needs of the children but The first book published by the academy The reading corner with details also inspire them. titled Bazar, illustrated by Prashant Soni about the National Centre for Children’s The Children’s Pavilion was a place was also on display. Shri Rajesh of the Literature Library (NCCL), one of the where children were encouraged to enrich academy said that through this display of largest libraries in the country with books their knowledge and love for books, illustrations they wish to promote young on children’s literature in Indian and participate in the activities to express their artists of small towns especially illustrators foreign languages and posters of NBT views about the world they live in through of children’s books as they do not get the books of children added colour to the words and pictures. exposure. Pavilion. NCCL is a wing of NBT India. The Pavilion had a special corner of Another interesting corner at the Several activities for and by children Children’s Film Society (autonomous Pavilion was about the educational and were organized at the Pavilion by the Trust body of the Ministry of Information learning aids. ‘My Stem Lab’ at the corner in collaboration with various schools, & Broadcasting). They screened Anmol has science based models like water filter, NGOs and other organizations working in Tasveer, Aasman Se Gira, Ek Ajooba Hai, turbine, glider etc to describe the Newton’s the field. The children got an opportunity Kaya Palat, Malli, Chutkan Ki Mahabharat, Third Law, mechanical energy, how human to meet their favourite authors, illustrators, Gilli Gilli Atta etc. body works etc. The ‘Smart Class’ was also had reading and storytelling sessions with The illustrations of 16 young artists, on display. It is a modern day digitized them, participate in the workshops on trained by the Riyaaz Academy for technique comprising a computer and creative writing, illustrations etc. For the Illustrators (an initiative by Eklavya) were projector. This interactive tool with audio children’s writers, teachers, librarians, displayed at the Pavilion. Shri Shashi system and multiple features like graphs, panel discussions, seminars were also Shetye, well-known illustrator said that the pictures, books etc is helpful for teachers organized.

6 NBT NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2016 Young Voices New Writings he Indian book market is excited by Tthe increase in the number of young writers writing across languages as well as in English. Publishers today are tapping on these young and fresh talents. Yet it is still a struggle for a first time young writer to see his work in print. NBT’s Navalekhan Mala has been conceived to provide such a creative platform for writers to showcase their writings. In furthering this objective, NBT brought out anthologies of short stories by young writers in nine languages that include Asamiya, Bangla, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia and Tamil. In a discussion at the Theme Sharing their experience in compiling that many stories today are actually epics Pavilion at the Fair, the compilers and the stories, the compilers were of the in miniature forms. editors of these anthologies shared their view that given the paucity of time it At the same time, says Prof Bibhash experience of identifying the authors and was difficult to bring together some of Choudhury, the compiler of the Asamiya collecting the stories. the new and exciting writings happening anthology, they are not shying away from Welcoming the compilers and editors, in their respective languages. Yet they traditional issues and in fact many of them Shri Baldeo Bhai Sharma, Chairman, have tried their best to put together a are now attempting to interpret myths NBT India, said, “Within the first 4-5 compilation that looks in a way not only with a new perspective. Many of these days of my joining as NBT Chairman, at the current trends in the genre but also stories are experiments in structure and I got a few files containing proposals to at its future. In the process, most of the form. For Shri Joe D’ Cruz, the compiler publish manuscripts by new young of Tamil anthology, the stories bring writers. My first reaction was that out the essence of life. these proposals should be rejected. Thanking NBT for providing But a moment later, a thought came a platform for young writers, Prof to my mind. Does the rule say that Gaurahari Das, the Compiler of the NBT cannot publish such writers? Odia anthology, suggested that NBT If it is not, why can’t we start a new should translate these anthologies series? I discussed the matter with into other Indian languages, my Editorial. And thus Navlekhan particularly English and Hindi. Mala was born.” Prof Rajan Govas, the compiler Saying that no family sustains of the Marathi anthology hoped that without its new generation, he said that we stories in these anthologies are sensitive to, NBT will bring out subsequent volumes need to show them the way ahead. “I am as Prof K S Ravikumar, the compiler of the in the series. Others who spoke on the happy that the Union Ministry of Human Malalayalam anthology puts it, political occasion included Shri Yogesh Joshi, the Resource Development is solidly behind issues, environmental issues and issues compiler of the Gujarati anthology and us in our endeavour to promote young confronting women and children today. In Shri Amar Mitra, the compiler of the writers and their writings,” he said the context of Malayalam stories he said Bangla anthology.

FEBRUARY 2016 NBT NEWSLETTER 7 National Library, Kolkata RNI-39456/82 Postal Regd. No. DL-SW-1-4076/2015-17 he National Library, an institution of National importance, Licenced to post without prepayment. Thas urged the publishers to deliver a copy of each of their publications to National Library. In a statement issued to Fair L.No. U(SW)21/2015-17 Daily, Dr Arun Kumar Chakraborty, Director General, National Mailing date: 5/6 Same Month Library & RRRLF, Kolkata, Ministry of Culture, Government of Date of Publication: 01/02/2016 India, explained the rationale behind this call. i) The delivered books are preserved physically for ages for the Farewell posterity; ii) No other institution/ organization can preserve these publications over centuries. iii) By delivering a copy to the National Library, the Publishers get an opportunity to upload the metadata of all their publications at the National Library Website. iv) Each and every title received by the National Library is included in the Indian National Bibliography, which is circulated to the important libraries across India as well as the globe. v) Last but not least it may be noted that the publishers also avoid penalty by delivering a copy to the publication in the National Library within 30 days of its publication. Shri Ram Avtar, UDC retired from the Trust after serving Publishers / authors may send their copies to : for 36 years. He joined the Trust on 8 March 1979 as Peon- Director General cum-messenger and worked in IP Section, Exhibition, Sales National Library Exhibition, Accounts, Subsidy, Dispatch, Production Section Belvedere, Kolkata - 700027 and Northern Regional Office of the Trust. Phone: 033-24792968 Website: nationallibrary.gov.in We at NBT wish him a happy retired life.

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, .

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.

Typeset and designed at Capital Creations, Subhram Complex, If undelivered please return to: Munirka, New Delhi-110 067. National Book Trust, India, Nehru Bhawan, 5 Institutional Area, Phase-II, New Delhi - 110 070

8 NBT NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2016

Top View