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Contents 57th Foundation Day Celebrations NBT Book Promotion Centre at Agartala 3

Tirunelveli Book Fair 4

NBT Employees Felicitated 4

Storytelling Session in NBT for Students 5

Almora Book Fair 5

Training Course in Book Publishing 6

Recent NBT Publications 7 he National Book Trust, India, Ms Shashi Deshpande talked in detail 7 Books Received Tan apex body under the Ministry about her love for books and writers since of Human Resource Development, her childhood. She added that books have Adieu 8 Government of India, celebrated its 57th influenced her and shaped her future. She Foundation Day on 1 August 2014. The said that although bookshops and libraries NBT was established on 1 August 1957 are rapidly closing down, not because PICK OF THE MONTH by the Government of India to promote people are not reading, but because, in books and the habit of reading in the urban areas, bookshops can no longer country, especially among children. afford the high rents and other overheads. As part of the celebrations, the 3rd “What has really changed is the kind NBT Foundation Day Lecture on ‘Books of reading people are indulging in. More and Reading in Today’s India’, was held people read newspapers, magazines, in the NBT headquarters at Vasant Kunj, they read on the internet, and there’s New Delhi. the Kindle and e-books as well. And a Speaking on the occasion, Ms Shashi great many people are writing today, and Deshpande, eminent writer and the Guest Speaker at the programme, said, “Reading has always been a minority interest; there never was, at any time, a large majority Reorganisation of States in India: of people reading. And now, with greater literacy, even Text and Context if there are fewer readers, it Introduced by Gyanesh Kudaisya still amounts to a fairly large 978-81-237-7195-3; Rs 285 number”. writing is, after all, closely akin to reading. Incomplete, vague, though the glimpses Trust has been continuously working So perhaps, if we presume that those who maybe, they illuminate some of the towards promoting books and habit of write also read, it’s not a completely dismal shadows within us”. reading in the country and would continue situation”, she added. The function was presided over by its endeavours towards that goal. Discussing the reading of fiction Prof. K. Satchidanandan, noted poet Earlier, Shri A Sethumadhavan, among masses, and its being considered and writer. He talked about reading and Chairman, NBT welcomed the guests inferior to non-fiction, she said, “I myself books in India and the challenges that present on the occasion. He told the have been a passionate reader of novels publishing industry is facing today. Prof. audience about the activities of the Trust all my life, and would fiercely defend Satchidanandan also observed that “There and said that NBT is perhaps the only novels against anyone who predicts its are very few books on reading and the organisation in the country that publishes doom or extinction”. She added that all history of reading in India.” He gave books in 22 Indian languages. “We are cultures, all civilisations, have their own details of earliest books in ancient India, trying to enlarge our network and bring store of stories which were orally passed and talked about the book being a cultural books closer to the readers by opening on from generation to generation, some object, a material thing to be enjoyed. He Book Promotion Centres across the of which were, at some point, written was glad that Ms Shashi Deshpande shared country”, he added. down. “These stories are today national the same optimism as him that books and Dr M A Sikandar, Director, NBT treasures. All religious works are full of reading will never die. thanked the guests and the audience for stories, for it is through stories of people Prof. Satchidanandan also suggested being part of the NBT’s foundation day like ourselves, rather than through dry that NBT may take up the publication celebrations and sharing their views on abstract statements, that we can grasp of the history of book in India and about books and reading in the country. He what is being told to us. And novels are, the books in pre- and post-colonial India. also talked about NBT taking up books primarily, stories about people”. Congratulating NBT, he added that the which focus on its history and presence in Talking about the existence of fiction ancient India. in future, she said, “As long as humans This is the third Foundation Day survive, the human story will continue Lecture in the series. This annual lecture to fascinate us and novelists will go on series was initiated in the year 2012. writing their stories, trying to make some The lecture series aims to bring about sense of life. Readers and writers are co- the importance of books and reading travellers on the same journey and the in today’s context and bring in critical reader is bound to share whatever the thinking by inviting eminent personality writer learns in the course of writing the from among women and men of letters, novel. As a writer I have realised that a scholars, intellectuals and others who writer never starts writing with knowledge. have made significant contributions to the On the contrary, it is through doubts, world of publishing. questions and uncertainties that the writer The first lecture in 2012 was delivered works and there are often serendipitous by Dr Shashi Tharoor, eminent writer discoveries that the writer stumbles across and Member of Parliament. The lecture in the course of writing the novel. And in 2013 was delivered by Prof. Andre the reader, who is the writer’s companion, Beteille, eminent sociologist and National gets some glimpses of these discoveries. Research Professor.

2 NBT NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2014 NBT Book Promotion Centre at Agartala he National Book Trust, India, in its Book Promotion Centres, initiated under Tefforts to facilitate the reach of NBT the 12th five year plan of the Government books and foster a culture of reading has of India which has been launched to initiated the concept of Book Promotion encourage readers and authors of all Centres (BPCs) in all the State Capitals Indian languages. He also said that Tripura of the country. NBT BPCs are already is now leading the current literacy rate in operational at Hyderabad, Chennai, the country with 96.5 per cent, followed Guwahati and Patna. Another Book by Kerala. Promotion Centre at Kochi will soon be Shri Subhabrata Deb, Secretary, inaugurated. Tripura Publishers’ Guild also spoke on On 2 August 2014, the Agartala NBT the occasion. Book Promotion Centre was inaugurated On the occasion, a Bangla book

at the Agartala Municipal Corporation make the best of such an opportunity Sahitya Bhavana (a compilation of all Library Building (Pura Granthagar), and benefit from it. Dr Prafullajit Sinha, major thoughts of Bengali pioneers on Palace Complex, Agartala to cater to the Mayor, Agartala Municipal Corporation, Books and Literature), compiled and State of Tripura. in his deliberation stated that this is a step edited by Shri Anath Bandhu Chatterjee, Inaugurating the NBT Book taken by NBT to encourage reading habit published by the NBT, was also released Promotion Centre at Agartla, Shri Manik in the state and the Agartala Municipal by the Hon’ble Chief Minister. Smt. Sarkar, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tripura Corporation is honoured to be a part of Swati Guha, Shri Debabrata Deb, Shri said that there needs to be no debate on this endeavour. Bimalendra Chakraborty and Shri whether books should come to the readers In his welcome address, Dr M.A. Anathbandhu Chatterjee were part of the or vice versa. What is important is reading, Sikandar, Director NBT, explained to discussions on the book released. so both should be brought closer to each the gathering about the concept of NBT The inauguration programme other. He also stressed on the idea was coordinated by Shri Sumit of conducted tours to be organised Bhattacharjee, Regional Manager, by the schools to bring students to ERO, NBT and Shri Bratin Dey, the NBT Book Promotion Centre. Bangla editor, NBT. He requested NBT to attach a NBT books published in Mobile Book Exhibition Van to this English, Hindi, Bangla as well Book Promotion Centre so that the as in Manipuri and Kokborok books can reach the remote corners are available at the Book Shop- of Tripura. cum-Display counter of the Book Dr Braja Gopal Roy, in his Promotion Centre. It also has presidential address said that this an activity centre where school NBT Book Promotion Centre children and book lovers can visit is a treasure of the state and the and participate in book-related readers and book lovers should activities and events. SEPTEMBER 2014 NBT NEWSLETTER 3 Tirunelveli Book Fair ational Book Trust, India able to buy Braille books the Norganised the Tirunelveli first time in a Book Fair. Book Fair at VOC Grounds, More than 150 publishers Palayamkottai, from 18 to exhibited their books on all 27 July 2014, in association subjects and across various with District Administration, genres in the Fair, which was Tirunelveli. visited by about 2 lakh people. The Fair was inaugurated The Fair also hosted many by Shri P. Chendur Pandian, cultural and literary events Hon’ble Minister for Hindu every day where eminent artists, Religious Charitable and poets, writers, speakers and film Endowments, Govt. of Tamil Nadu. “In “Organising book fairs in towns like personalities participated and interacted addition to textbooks, the students should Tirunelveli will go a long way in nurturing with the audience. read widely on literature, science & the reading habit among the students Book fairs are very successful in technology, history, geography and other and public. We appreciate National Book towns, smaller districts, and mofussil subjects. This will help them to achieve Trust, India for organising book fairs all areas, where people get less opportunities their goals in life,” said Shri Chendur over India.” to buy books easily. In the last many years, Pandian. He also talked about the Shri P. Devendra Boopathy, Joint NBT’s emphasis has been to organise book importance of libraries in promoting the Commissioner of Commercial Tax fairs to ensure that books reach the readers habit of reading and said that organisations Department, welcomed the gathering. in such areas. like NBT should work for the same goal. Shri. Mariappan, Public Relations Officer, Shri Mathan Raj, Tamil editor and Chairing the inaugural function the Tirunelveli District Administration, Shri G. Rengarajan, Production Officer District collector Dr Karunakaran said, presented the vote of thanks. from NBT coordinated the Book Fair. Earlier, Dr M.A. Sikandar, Director, NBT India, briefly spoke about the various activities of the Trust towards promoting books and reading habit. He particularly appreciated an initiative in this fair, i.e. a stall for Braille books, organised by the School for the Blind, Palayamkottai. The visually-challenged students visited the stall and expressed their happiness in being NBT Employees Felicitated On the occasion of 57th NBT Foundation Day celebrations, the Trust felicitated five NBT employees on having completed 25 years of service in the organisation. They included Shri Raj Kumar, Ms Sunita Narotra, Ms Chandra Prabha, Ms Anita Kalra, and Ms Meena Sharma. Shri A Sethumadhavan, Chairman, NBT presented them with a memento and a shawl.

4 NBT NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2014 Storytelling Session in NBT for Students n its continuous efforts to for the story. He added that an Ipromote reading habit in the illustrator also uses his imagination country, especially among the and creativity to make his work children, the National Centre for attractive. Children’s Literature (NCCL) Earlier, Dr M A Sikandar, (NBT’s children’s wing), organized Director, NBT welcomed the an interactive storytelling session author, illustrator, students, and for school children at the NCCL others present on the occasion. Library in NBT, New Delhi on He talked about various activities 25 July 2014, with Ms Kusumlata undertaken by the Trust to promote Singh, noted children’s writer and reading habit in the country. Dr Shri Partha Sengupta, illustrator of Sikandar advised children to read the recently published NBT title more and more books. for children titled Phir Khil Gaye The children also visited the Phool. had always been an avid reader and the NBT Bookshop. Later, Kusumlata Singh The students, from Ryan International habit of reading helped her pen down her and Partha Sengupta signed copies of their School (Rohini), were glad to be part of thoughts. She said that she got an idea books for the children. an interactive storytelling programme to write this book when she went out for As part of the environment awareness with their favourite author and illustrator the morning walk. Shri Partha Sengupta programme, the students presented to answer their questions. In response to talked about the illustrations used in the saplings to the guests. children’s queries, Ms Kusumlata Singh book. He said that the minute details The session was coordinated by told the children that she started writing about characters in a story by the author Shri Manas Ranjan Mahapatra, Editor during her school days. She said that she helps an illustrator to create illustrations (NCCL).

Almora Book Exhibition he National Book Trust, India Kumaon University, Nainital. Addressing The books exhibited at the Exhibition Torganised a seven-day book exhibition the large gathering consisting of book were on a wide ranges of subjects, across in Almora (Uttarakhand) from 12 to lovers, teachers, students, parents along various genres and in English, Hindi, 18 July 2014 at Hotel Bhagwati Palace, with media persons, Prof. Dhami said Urdu and other Indian languages. Almora. that by organising this Book Exhibition, The Exhibition was coordinated by The Book Exhibition was inaugurated NBT had taken a major step towards the Imran-ul-Haque, Dy. Director (Sales), by Prof. H S Dhami, Vice Chancellor, promotion of reading in the small town of NBT. Almora. He urged NBT to organise more such events in the State of Uttarakhand to promote education and literacy among people, and encourage the habit of reading. Others who spoke on the occasion included Shri Prakash Joshi, Chairman, Municipal Corporation of Almora, Dr D S Pokhriya, noted writer, Shri Manish Agarwal, local coordinator.

SEPTEMBER 2014 NBT NEWSLETTER 5 Training Course in Book Publishing he 19th edition of the creativity. Pubishers need to be TCertificate Course in innovative to keep up with the Publishing was organised from 4 to changing times. 30 August 2014 at the Conference Over 30 students have Hall of the Trust. enrolled in the Publishing Course, Terming NBT course as comprising both new entrants as one of the most popular and well as those who are already in the well appreciated by publishing field. Besides giving an overview professionals, Ms Ira Joshi, Addl. of the publishing scenario, the Director General, Publications course content includes editing, Division, said, “Given the rapid production, design, sales and growth of the publishing industry marketing. The current course also in the last four decades, we need to discusses the role of technology have more such courses to bring in trained On the changes taking place in the particularly QR codes, mobile applications professionals to the industry.” According to publishing industry, Ms. Joshi was of in the context of reading etc. Ms. Joshi, the Indian publishing industry the view that technology has blurred the The faculty includes Sridhar Balan, is today worth over Rs. 11,000 crores, and boundaries between p-books, e-books and Dr. M.A. Sikandar, G.S. Jolly, Pranav is growing by leaps and bounds. a-books. Our publishing industry needs to Kumar Singh, Mukul Sehgal, V.K. Speaking on the scenario in language wake up and adapt to these changes. Karthika, Manisha Chaudary, Dinesh publishing, Ms. Joshi said while language Concluding her address she told Sinha, K. Srinvas, Dr. Suresh Chand, publishing in the country is on the growth participants that publishing is a profession Sharmila Abraham, Malini Sood, Arpita curve, yet we need to impart technology that has a fundamental ethical and moral Das, Joseph Mathai among others. and capability to professionalise language core to it. It is a noble profession and The course is coordinated by Shri publishing. advised the students to value the best of it. Kumar Samaresh, AD (PR Cell), NBT. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sridhar Balan, eminent publishing profesional, observed that though the history of Indian printing and publishing goes a long way in India, yet we do not have a museum dedicated to the history of printing and publishing in India. Addressing the participants he said that the publishing industry is driven by tradition and

NBT Book Awarded Independence Day A book published by the National the Dr Rajendra Prasad Award by the Celebrated Book Trust, India entitled Kagaz Indian Council of Agricultural Research aur Paryavaran and authored by Dr (ICAR) at its 86th Foundation Day on The National Book Trust, India celebrated Virendra Kumar Bharti was awarded 29 July 2014. India’s 68th Independence Day at Nehru The Award was Bhawan, New Delhi. The National Tri- presented to the author colour was hoisted followed by singing of by Hon’ble Minister the National Anthem. for Agriculture, Shri Radha Mohan Singh. This Award is presented by ICAR every year to the best technical book written in Hindi on agriculture and related sciences.

6 NBT NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2014 Recent NBT Publications Reorganisation of States in India: Text political boundaries and launched India a faithful attempt to reflect his personality, and Context on its momentous journey as a vernacular sensibility, undaunted courage, respect for Introduced by Gyanesh Kudaisya democracy. self and for others, and above all, love for 978-81-237-7195-3; Rs 285 his motherland. Over sixty years Nana Saheb Peshwa and the War of 1857 ago, following Madhav Sathe Nanasense: Nonsense Verses of J.P. Das the formation of 978-81-237-7170-0; Rs 220 Sumanyu Satpathy (Trans) Andhra Pradesh First war of 978-81-237-7194-6; Rs 100 in 1953, demands Independence Puns, wordplays, for the creation of against the British riddles and rhymes new states soon Rule in India was mark this delightful came up. Powerful fought in 1857. collection of nonsense regional sentiments It was spread over verses. Originally unleashed such North and Central written in Odia, this political fury that India—from Punjab fine English rendition they forced Jawaharlal Nehru’s government border to Bihar and brings to you a to set up the States Reorganisation from Himalaya to glimpse of India’s Commission (SRC) to investigate these Narmada, the sound and fury of which rich tradition of demands and to formulate principles was echoed throughout the Indian literary nonsense. J.P. Das is a poet, fiction upon which new states could be created. peninsula. Nana Saheb, the adopted son writer and playwright in Odia. He did Saiyid Fazl Ali, Hriday Nath Kunzru and of the displaced Peshwa Bajirao II, was the his doctorate in Art History. Beginning K.M. Panikkar, three eminent public chief architect of the War. It was he who his career as a teacher, he then joined the figures much respected for their integrity, brought about integration of the scattered Indian Administrative Service, which he experience and impartiality, made up Indians for the war. All the important left to pursue research and creative writing. this high-powered Commission, whose events of the war are intricately linked Besides poetry, novels and plays, he has recommendations reconfigured India’s with his life. Therefore, this book makes also written several books on Orissan art. Books Received

Textbook on Cyber Law; Pavan Duggal; Kuvempu: Vignettes of Man and books in Kannada and English, proffers Universal Law Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd., Mission, Nadoja Prof. Hampa a panoramic view of Kuvempu’s C-FF-1A, Dilkush Industrial Estate, Nagarajaiah; Rashtrakavi Kuvempu comprehensive contribution, and is G.T. Karnal Road, Delhi-110033; 978- Pratishthan, Kuppali - 577415, packed with a lot of authentic material on 93-5035-393-6; Rs 195 Thirthahalli Taluk, Shivamogga Dt., the life and works of Kuvempu. Karnataka; Rs 100 In the last two decades, India: An Alphabet Ride; Shallu Jindal; huge developments have A celebrity among Natraj Publishers, 17 Rajpur Road, taken place which impacts litterati, Kuvempu Dehra Dun-248001, Uttarakhand; 978- every user of a computer, heralded new 93-8158-232-4; Rs 699 computer resource and epoch in Kannada communication device. literature. The 20th It is said that a picture Cyber Law is one of the century has been is worth a thousand latest and most complex rightly identified words. The book disciplines of legal jurisprudence. The as the age of uses illustrations students today are tech-savvy, yet they are Kuvempu. Every language has its own and alphabets to tell not much familiar with basic principles treasure and the works of Kuvempu are the everything one needs impacting Cyber Law. This book is aimed treasure-trove of Kannada literature and to know about the country without the at the student community. Written in invaluable heritage of Karnataka. He has boredom of formal textbooks. India’s states a simple language it tries to sensitise the produced his literary works from the tip and cities, heritage sites, taste and diverse readers not only about the Cyber Law of his quill, just like Lord Shiva produced foods, dance and festivals, plants and but also the dark side of the Internet the Ganges from the tip of his top knot. animals, languages and cultures, leaders ... and the World Wide Web and its legal This monograph authored by Prof. everything is explained through alphabets consequences. Hampana, author of more than 80 and illustrations.

SEPTEMBER 2014 NBT NEWSLETTER 7 Adieu RNI-39456/82 Postal Regd. No. DL-SW-1-4076/12-14 Smt Vibha Malik retired from the Trust on 31 July 2014 after Licenced to post without prepayment. working for NBT for about 40 L.No. U(SW) 21/2012-2014 years. She joined NBT in 1974 Mailing date: 5/6 Same Month as LDC, and was promoted as Date of Publication: 01/09/2014 UDC, and retired as Assistant. During her tenure, she worked FORTHCOMING BOOK FAIRS in Establishment, Accounts, Trivandrum Book Fair, Kerala 4-12 October 2014 Exhibition and Sales sections of the the Trust. Bhopal Book Fair, Madhya Pradesh Oct.-Nov. 2014 Shri Dharamvir Singh retired on 30 June 2014 from NBT Pune Book Fair, Maharashtra November 2014 after working for 34 years. He Raipur Book Fair, Chhattisgarh 1-7 November 2014 had joined NBT in 1979 and Jammu Book Fair, J&K November 2014 was promoted as Assistant. Ranchi Book Fair, Jharkhand Nov.-Dec. 2014 During his tenure he worked Cuttack Book Fair, Orissa December 2014 in various sections including Jodhpur Book Fair, Rajasthan December 2014 Administration, Accounts, Sales, Dehradun Book Fair, Uttarakhand December 2014 Bookstore and Establishment. Patna Book Fair, Bihar March 2015 We at NBT wish them both a happy retired life. For more details please contact: 18th Kochi International Book Fair Dy. Director (Exhibitions) 29 Nov.-8 Dec. 2014 National Book Trust, India Ernakulathappan Grounds, Kochi Nehru Bhawan, 5 Institutional Area, Phase-II For details about booking, contact: Antharashtra Pusthakotsava Vasant Kunj, New Delhi - 110070 Samiti, Kaloor Towers, Kaloor, Ernakulam, Kochi - 682017, Tel.: 011-26707700 / 26707778 Kerala. Tel. : 0484-4047588 Telefax: 0484-2338324 or visit Web: bookfestkochi.com www.nbtindia.gov.in

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 QHFHVVDULO\UHÀHFWWKHRI¿FLDOYLHZVRIWKH7UXVW

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7\SHVHWDQGGHVLJQHGDW&DSLWDO&UHDWLRQV6XEKUDP&RPSOH[ 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

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