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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Chinar Book Fair from August 2 to 10 in Srinagar
Book and culture lovers in Jammu and Kashmir are in for a treat as the Chinar Book Fair will return to Srinagar from August 2 with organisers promising additional features like a national exhibition on the ancient Sharda script, Gojri translation workshop and Tamil-Kashmiri Samvad. The organisers say that the nine-day festival will see the participation of more than 200 publishers and book stalls from across India, offering books in English, Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri, and other Indian languages. (HT representative) After its inaugural edition in 2024 drew a good response, the festival promises to return this year with an expanded range of books, events, and voices, with an objective to give impetus to the culture of reading in Jammu and Kashmir. Organised by the National Book Trust, India in collaboration with National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) and Srinagar district administration, the 2025 edition will take place at the scenic back lawns of Sheri Kashmir International Convention Centre, from August 2 to 10, a statement by the chief convener Dr Amit Wanchoo said. 'This festival is much more than a literary gathering. It reflects the spirit of learning and cultural pride in Kashmir. In a world that often feels lonely, this book festival unites us all, inspiring writers, readers and thinkers from across the country to engage with our rich literary heritage, sowing seeds of hope and understanding for future generations,' he said. The organisers say that the nine-day festival will see the participation of more than 200 publishers and book stalls from across India, offering books in English, Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri, and other Indian languages. From bilingual children's books and academic titles to digital content and regional classics, there is something for everyone. 'But this year's festival is more than just a book exhibition. It is a space for ideas, learning, and cultural exchange. Special sessions include the Rajtarangini Samvad, with workshops and panel discussions, exploring various aspects of the historical text,' said Wanchoo. The book festival will also feature a national exhibition on the ancient Sharda script, and a first-ever Gojri translation workshop, aimed to produce bilingual books in Hindi, Urdu, Dogri, Kashmiri, and English. These efforts aim to bring lesser-represented languages and stories into the mainstream. 'A major highlight of the festival is the Tamil-Kashmiri Samvad under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative, focusing on shared cultural and spiritual traditions across the regions,' the statement said. There will be participation of prominent scholars, educators, writers, poets, and other distinguished personalities. Other key attractions include creative writing and illustration workshops, calligraphy sessions, author talks, storytelling, laughter therapy and a wide range of activities for children. Visitors will also be able to explore the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, a digital platform providing free access to thousands of e-books. Evenings will feature live cultural performances like folk songs, mushaira, Kashmiri chhakri, Bhand Pather, and theatre, offering a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for all age groups. The statement quoted professor Milind Sudhakar Marathe, chairman of NBT-India saying: 'The Chinar Book Festival is not just a showcase of books. It is about bringing people together through language, literature, and shared experiences. From ancient scripts to modern publishing, we are creating a space where heritage and innovation go hand in hand.' Yuvraj Malik, director of National Book Trust, India, said: 'After the success of the first edition, we wanted to expand the Chinar Book Festival. With new ideas and broader participation, this year's edition is designed to reach more people, especially young readers. We aim to help build a strong reading culture across Jammu & Kashmir.'
Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Pune Book Festival to be held from December 13 to 21; Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar venues to be added next year
The third edition of the Pune Book Festival will be held from December 13 to 21 at the Fergusson College campus, National Book Trust (NBT) Director Yuvraj Malik told reporters on Monday. The nine-day event is being organised by NBT, a body under the Union Ministry of Education, in collaboration with Pune Municipal Corporation, Savitribai Phule Pune University, and other local organisations. Malik said that book fests on the lines of those being held in Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik are being planned in cities such as Nashik and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar from next year. He stated that Pune Book Fest will also feature a photography exhibition themed on 'Joy of Reading', and a prize fund of Rs 1 lakh has been earmarked for the winners. Thousands of e-books will be available for download using a scanner at the festival. In 2024, the book fest was held on a grand scale at the Fergusson College grounds with 600 stalls, more than 100 book launches, and the participation of thousands of visitors. It conducted workshops on storytelling, painting, dance, and music. The previous edition saw the participation of over 10 lakh visitors, the sale of 25 lakh books, and a revenue of over Rs 40 crore, said NBT Trustee Rajesh Pande. 'After Delhi, the book festival in Pune is the second best across the whole country. A book festival is not a festival of the NBT, the government, the corporation, or anybody; it is the festival of the people. There is a rich legacy of Marathi literature preservation in Maharashtra,' said Malik. He added that enhancing the quality of the festival is the goal of the organisation. Soham is a Correspondent with the Indian Express in Pune. A journalism graduate, he was a fact-checker before joining the Express. Soham currently covers education and is also interested in civic issues, health, human rights, and politics. ... Read More
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Pune Book Fest 2025 to kick off in Dec at Fergusson
The Pune Book Festival 2025 will be held from December 13 to 21 at Fergusson College under the theme, 'Joy of Reading'. Organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), the festival is part of a nationwide initiative to promote reading culture among the youth. The festival will also provide free access to download 3,000 books and a 'book bus' for touring rural areas around Pune. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC) After the overwhelming response to the previous festivals, Pune now ranks second only to Delhi in terms of book fair popularity. Similar book festivals are now being planned in Nashik and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, following successful events in Mumbai, Nagpur and Pune. Addressing a press conference, Yuvraj Malik, director of NBT, announced that, this time, special awards will be given for outstanding media coverage and impactful photography that supports and promotes reading culture. The festival will also provide free access to download 3,000 books and a 'book bus' for touring rural areas around Pune. Strict measures will be undertaken to check piracy and stealing of books. A special committee will be set up to monitor vendors and uphold copyright norms. Additionally, the NBT plans to organise separate exhibitions for Marathi, Hindi and English books, making the event more diverse.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Maithili writer invited to Red Fort I-Day event
Madhubani: Young Maithili author Gunjan Shri has been invited as a special guest to the prestigious at the Red Fort in New Delhi on Aug 15. His invitation comes under the Yuva Lekhak Yojana (Young Author Mentorship Scheme), an initiative of the ministry of defence and the ministry of education, implemented through the National Book Trust (NBT). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A resident of Ramnagar village in the Benipatti subdivision of Madhubani district, Gunjan was selected from among 100 young authors writing in 22 Indian languages. His father, Kamal Mohan 'Chunnu', is also a notable figure in contemporary Maithili literature. Gunjan's literary contributions have been widely appreciated. His works include 'Premak Timeline', 'Tarhatthi Par Samay' and 'Bhartiya Swatantrata Andolan Mein Dalit Samaj Ka Yogdan'. His travelogue, 'Marsi', was published under the Yatra Books imprint. Earlier, Gunjan represented Maithili literature at a special function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan and has participated in literary events and seminars across 22 countries, promoting Indian languages and culture on the global stage. Reacting to the honour, Gunjan said, "I am grateful to the Centre for this recognition. It is a matter of immense pride to represent the Maithili language and culture on such a significant national platform." His achievement has been widely celebrated not only in Maithili-speaking regions but across the country, where he is regarded as a symbol of young India's literary promise and cultural richness.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Union Jal Shakti minister pushes to conserve rivers
Lucknow: Union Jal Shakti minister CR Patil participated in a ' World Environment Day ' programme at Bulandshahr on Thursday, where he planted a sapling and released fish fingerlings into the Ganga. Remarking that in Indian culture, every river is revered as a mother, Patil said that conserving rivers was not just a responsibility but an act of devotion. He identified plastic pollution in rivers as one of the biggest challenges of the present times and highlighted the importance of eliminating the use of plastic. "Until we realise that the Ganga is not just a river but a life-giving force, our conservation efforts will remain incomplete," he said. Patil highlighted the role of the Namami Gange programme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 and spoke about how the sewage treatment plants (STPs) installed across the Ganga basin worked to stop untreated water from entering the river. Patil interacted with 200 'Ganga praharis' and praised them for not only cleaning the river themselves but also stopping others from polluting it. He also visited the Ganga Aqua Life Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Narora, a centre working on the conservation of Gangetic dolphins, freshwater turtles and other aquatic species. He released fish fingerlings into the Ganga at Narora Ghat, a step seen as crucial for restoring the aquatic food chain. A specially designed mobile bus operated by the National Book Trust (NBT) was also launched at the event. The bus will travel to rural and semi-urban areas to promote environmental awareness through literature, storytelling and interactive learning.
