43rd Agartala book fair begins from January 2nd, 2025

The 43rd Agartala Book fair will begin from January 2nd, 2025 and the fair will continue up to January 14th next, although the venue of the fair whether it would be organized at Hapania International fair ground or again back to inside Agartala city yet to be finalized.

The schedule of the 43rd Agartala book fair was finalized during the first preparatory meeting of the fair committee, chaired by Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, which was held at the Muktadhara auditorium in Agartala on Monday evening

Speaking in the preparatory meeting, the Chief Minister stressed on the participation of the maximum number of booksellers and publishers from other parts of the country.

Dr Saha also requested all the concerned persons to ensure maximum participation of the new generation and should adopt measures to attract more youth towards books in the challenging internet era.

The Chief Minister requested the organizers to prepare plans to involve the participation of students from school and colleges.

Dr Saha suggested that the book fair should turn into a total amusement for all sections of the society along with traditional book reading and sales. Dr Saha said Book Fair ignites the creative faculties and all necessary steps must be taken to ensure that maximum number of people can participate in it.

During the preparatory meeting, renowned personalities of Agartala city like veteran editor Sanit Debroy, senior journalists Dibakar Debnath, Jayanta Bhattacharjee, Supriya Datta , Uttam Chakraborty from All Tripura Book Sellers and Publishers,  Rakhal Majumder and poet Nakul Roy were also spoke in the meeting and stressed on good facilities for all book lovers during fair days. They also highlighted he importance on maintaining sound pollution, proper traffic management, seamless power supply etc. They also asked the organizers for the availability of good books.  Considering the greater interest of book lovers, veteran editor Sanit Debroy highlighted the importance of the venue of the book fair and it should again back inside the main city of Agartala for the overall interest of all book lovers.

Many persons, participated in the meeting have also supported the suggestions placed by Sanit Debroy.

The meeting also discussed all other aspects of the fair and decided to constitute several sub-committees to look after various sides of the fair.

Dr PK Chakraborty, secretary to the ICA Department in his welcome address said that the aim is to make the fair better than last year and the government is ready to extend all help. Bimbisar Bhattacharjee, Director of ICA through a PowerPoint presentation described the details of the fair and the steps being taken to make it a success. He said the sub-committees will discuss all the difficulties being faced and steps to be taken for a more attractive book fair.

In the preparatory meeting  deputy speaker Ramprasad Paul, Mayor of Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) Dipak Majumder, the vice-chancellor of MBB University, Dr Satyedeo Podder, vice-chairman of  state’s cultural committee, Subrata Chakraborty,  Sabhadipati of West Tripura Zilla Parishad, Balai Goswami, senior journalists Dibakar Debnath, Bishwendhu Bhattacharjee , Uttam Chakraborty and Sujit Dey with others including publishers were also present.