Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 11 April 2025
The ten-day Andaman Nicobar Book Fair, organised by the Department of Art & Culture, A&N Administration, in collaboration with the National Book Trust (NBT) of India, concluded on a high note at the ITF Ground, Sri Vijaya Puram, on Wednesday. The event aimed to promote reading habits and literary awareness, particularly among students and young readers across the Islands.
Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, Chief Secretary of the A&N Administration, graced the valedictory function as the chief guest. In his address, he extended heartfelt gratitude to the National Book Trust for its partnership in bringing the Book Fair to the Islands and commended the visiting publishers for their enthusiastic participation.
“The presence of publishers from the mainland reflects their affection for the people of these Islands,” said Dr. Kumar. He emphasised the collective responsibility of society in nurturing reading habits among children and youth. Highlighting the presence of libraries, including in schools throughout the Islands, he stressed the importance of fostering a culture of reading across all age groups.
During the event, the Chief Secretary also felicitated NBT officials, resource persons, and artists for their contributions in making the Book Fair a meaningful and enriching experience.
Earlier in the evening, Ms. Jyoti Kumari, IAS, Secretary (Art & Culture), welcomed the guests and acknowledged the support of the Chief Secretary and NBT in organising the fair. She noted the enthusiastic participation in educational sessions conducted by local resource persons, the popular Children’s Corner by NBT, and the immersive VR show presented by the Department of Information, Publicity and Tourism (IP&T).
In her vote of thanks, Ms. Priyanka Kumari, Director of Art & Culture, expressed appreciation to all stakeholders, particularly the National Book Trust, for their role in the smooth execution of the event.
The Book Fair featured 31 stalls showcasing approximately 30,000 books spanning a wide array of genres and authors. Visitors had the opportunity to explore and purchase titles directly from publishers, making the event a vibrant celebration of literature and learning.