Latest news with #PuneBookFestival
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
New rule could disrupt in-house quota admissions for Class 11 students
A new state government rule could disrupt in-house quota admissions for class 11 students in several junior colleges in Pune. The revised guideline—introduced ahead of the statewide online admission process starting May 26—states that in-house quota seats will be available only if the school and junior college operated by the same management are located on the same campus. This marks a significant departure from previous practice, wherein colleges were allowed to reserve in-house seats even if they and the schools run by the same management were located on different campuses, often a few kilometres apart. The change is likely to impact several prominent institutions in Pune that run their schools and junior colleges on different campuses. On the sidelines of a children's book fair in Pune jointly organised by the National Book Trust, Pune Book Festival, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Samvaad Pune, Maharashtra school education minister Dada Bhuse said, 'This initiative is meant for the benefit of students. If school or college managements have any concerns, we are open to listening to them and will consider their views.' Explaining the rationale behind the change, Bhuse said that the revamped online admission system will ensure that students are admitted strictly on merit. 'In the past, there were cases where students with good marks could not secure seats in reputed colleges. With the new system, meritorious students will now get fair opportunities,' he said. The minister acknowledged technical issues in the application portal, particularly regarding the ₹100 fee payment but said that those glitches have been resolved. 'I personally monitored the updates. From tomorrow, the entire process will run smoothly without any glitches,' he said. The state had previously implemented the online Class 11 admission system in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Amravati. This year, it is being extended across Maharashtra. Admitting that rural students face hurdles such as poor connectivity and lack of smartphones, Bhuse maintained that the government was committed to long-term reforms. 'Whatever positive outcomes emerge from this system, we will share the same with you. The aim is to benefit students in the long run,' he said. Bhuse also said that the Maharashtra government has submitted a proposal to the union education minister three weeks ago, urging three changes: the inclusion of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's history in the national school curriculum, recognition of Marathi as a classical language, and mandatory Marathi teaching in non-Marathi medium schools. 'The CBSE's recent decision to make Marathi compulsory in its schools is a direct outcome of these efforts,' he said.
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Children, parents flock to book stalls
Pune: The Pune Children's Book Fair, a vibrant celebration of knowledge, literature, and entertainment, is proving to be a fertile ground for nurturing the reading habit among the younger generation. At the fair, one can see children browsing through books on diverse subjects — from history to science — while parents actively encourage them to buy and read. Publishers and children's authors engage with readers, explaining the world of books, while visitors enthusiastically purchase children's literature to gift to young readers they know. Organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), Pune Book Festival, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Samvad Pune, the fair features over seventy reputed publishers showcasing books across genres including stories, poems, and novels aimed at children and young readers. From celebrated names in children's literature to promising new authors, the offerings span historical, social, humorous, and scientific themes. Informative books, biographies of scientists and reformers, language-learning aids, and much more are on display. Kishor, the magazine from Balbharati — the body responsible for publishing school textbooks — has enriched the reading experience of children across generations. Selected issues of this magazine are available for reading at the fair. In a digital age where children often get lost in mobiles, laptops, and video games, the sight of children immersed in books brings a welcome sense of hope.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Pune rediscovers its passion for books as literary events and pop culture boost reading
Pune: Last December, Rutuja Kulkarni went to Fergusson College, where the book fair was being held, to see the art installations on the campus and click some photographs with her friends. "But then I passed a stall with book covers that looked like movie posters and ended up buying three paperbacks," she said. Book fairs in the city no longer resemble solemn libraries dragged into exhibition grounds. They now mirror full-blown cultural carnivals with food stalls, theatre acts, live music, children's corners, and panel discussions with celebrities. Manjiri Prabhu, author and founder of the Pune International Literary Festival, said, "When we started in 2013, the aim was to take literature from the elite to the grassroots. We wanted books to be accessible to everyone and for authors to connect directly with their readers. It's an incredible moment when you hear a writer speak and then go buy their books because you're not just reading words, you're able to listen to the mind behind them. The literary events don't just boost reading; they inspire writing, too." Publishers say this vibe shift has been a game changer in terms of book sales, drawing in new readers and reminding citizens what it feels like to read for pleasure. At the Pune Book Festival held in Dec last year, over 1 million visitors bought 2.5 million books, pushing the sales past ₹40 crore — four times more than the previous year. Aisha Koli, an IT professional, said, "People are watching shows like Bridgerton and then rushing to buy original books by Julia Quinn, wanting more insight. Fans of The Queen's Gambit are finding the novel by Walter Tevis." Gen Z readers are picking up the classics they once side-eyed in school and giving them a second chance — this time, minus the exams and moral science essays. Even Marathi literature is having a renaissance, with OTT platforms reintroducing it in bingeable formats. Janhavi Deshpande, a teacher, said, "A friend of mine bought Wuthering Heights after watching a moody reel with violins. Don't even get me started on how many friends I have who finally read The Great Gatsby just to sound profound in Instagram captions. These were the same people who cried in school when they saw paragraphs longer than a tweet. It's a plot twist I didn''t expect." Local publishers are also surfing this wave of demand. Pune-based duo Prashant and Anagha Karhade, who founded APK Publishers in 2008, have seen the local publishing scene turn from sluggish to sizzling. "We used to publish a book a month; now the demand has outpaced our pipeline," said Prashant. Anagha added, "Around 60% of what we publish is fiction, and most buyers still prefer physical books. Even with e-books out there, paperbacks outsell them three to four times over. People have been asking us about audiobooks; we're converting over 350 of our titles right now. The interest is huge." Often blamed for killing reading habits, social media is now driving book sales. Social media influencers are making funny and dramatic reels about their current reads and nudging their followers into reading challenges and book-buying sprees. Books have also crept into gifting culture. "Books make excellent presents across age groups, from my nieces and nephews who are toddlers to grandparents. I only gift books now. Unlike sweets and chocolates, they don't melt, cause cavities, or spike your sugar levels," said Preeti Singh, an unapologetic bibliophile. A bookshelf displays one's personality traits, too. "'A well-stacked shelf reveals a person's taste. Books also have great sentimental value. A friend of mine spent a small fortune to transport her books all the way from Delhi to Pune when she relocated. Though she can find all these titles online, she found comfort in having her books with her in her new flat," said Nitin David, a BPO professional. Gen Z has even turned books into statement pieces. Displaying titles on a shelf, Instagramming annotated pages, or carrying books during their commute or to work has become their version of wearing their hearts on their sleeves. "A book in hand is the new social armour. When I have a book in my hand, it conveys that I'm deep in plot twists and must not be disturbed," said Ajinkya Potdar, a college student.
