PATNA BOOK FAIR : IN RETROSPECT
Bihar has been in the news since 1988 for staging this event of prime significance which is today regarded as nation’s pride in the annals of national book fairs. It was first launched in 1988 while late Rajiv Gandhi gave us a slogan on his multi-coloured portrait under his own initial — Har Pustak Ek Mashal Hai — during his premiership in October 1988. The first Patna Book Fair held from 13th to 23rd November, 1988 was a resounding success. Encouraged by the success of the first Patna Book Fair, second Patna Book Fair was organised from 20th November to 3rd December, 1990 on a much larger scale which the former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi had consented to inaugurate. The fair could not be inaugurated by him due to the fact that it coincided with the hectic political developments at the centre resulting in the fall of the then N.F. Government. The 3rd Patna Book Fair (1-15 December 1991) was announced at the closing ceremony of 2nd Patna Book Fair on 3rd December 1990 and it was unanimously decided by the Organising Committee to approach Shri Rajiv Gandhi again for his consent to inaugurate it. He promptly favoured the committee with his consent but unfortunately again that was not to be. This time due to sad and untimely demise of this noble soul of India.
The fair also has the blessings of Rev. Mother Teresa, Chief of Missionaries of Charity who could not grace the inaugural ceremony in 1990 as Chief Guest due to her ailing health. The fair attracts a good number of participants from abroad as well. Some of such notable participants of the past fairs are: World Health Organisation, the Embassy of Bulgaria, British Deputy High Commission, Maxwell-Macmillan, Singapore, ISCKON, U.S.A. and Vostok from U.S.S.R. While this book-event has an honour to associate key personalities like Mr. Ian McClunney, British Deputy High Commissioner, Don Sloan, 1st Secretary of British High Commission, Dr. Karan Singh, Former External Affairs Minister, Senior Journalists Shri Vidya Niwas Mishra, Mr. Dilip Padgaonkar, the celebrated author Dr. Namvar Singh, it has also created many firsts by having distinguished visitors in Shri G. P. Koirala, the Prime Minister of Nepal, renowned literator Shri Rajendra Yadav, the great social reformer Acharya Ram Murti, famous cartoonist Shri R. K. Laxman, film-makers Shakti Samant — Shri Ram Vohra — Atmaram, film actor Shri Shatrughna Sinha and others besides scores of Chief Justices, Governors, Chief Ministers, Ministers, MPs, MLAs and prominent citizens from other states as well. It is indeed a treat to watch such eminent personalities at this book exhibition that is covered so widely by the print and electronic media. Voice of America broadcast a 15-minute special programme of Patna Book Fair at 9.45 p.m. on 23rd November 1988 for its Asian listeners.
The 2nd Patna Book Fair held in 1990 was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Lokayukta Shri S. Sarwar Ali, former Chief Justice of Patna High Court. It was organised while the country continued to groan under the impact of bouts of violence triggered by the Mandal and Temple issues which pushed the general law and order situation to a new low in almost all the states. Large scale disturbances also cast dark shadows on the state’s social fronts. Frequent caste and communal clashes threatened to rip the society apart, eclipsed whatever development was made in different fields. The academic environment suffered most since institutions remained closed for months in the wake of caste and communal tensions. By organising Patna Book Fair successfully on a massive scale which saw a few international participants at such a difficult time, the Organising Committee diffused tension on social and communal fronts. This book-event also restored academic environment in the State and re-instilled confidence amongst the masses in general.
The fairground remained a hub of academic, social and cultural activities and gathered nearly 5 lacs people in a short duration of 12 days. People who used to remain indoors in the wake of Mandal and Temple issues came out in the open and graced the venue of the fair without any fear. This was by no means a mean achievement. Its success was doubly impressive considering the fact that its duration coincided with upheavals in the entire country on a massive scale. The Organising Committee ventured to hold Patna Book Fair despite all odds in 1990 to celebrate International Literacy Year — an event, which had scant impact on the country at the time the fair was held. The participants which suffered due to the uncertainty then prevailing also came as a landmark in the history of book fairs as the event established a record in the number of participants which again is all the more impressive considering the impediments that law and order problems across the country had put in our path.
Following the resounding success of the book-exhibition in 1990 and on great public demand, the 3rd Patna Book Fair was held in 1991 from 1st to 15th December which was inaugurated by H.E. Mohd. Shafi Qureshi, the then Governor of Bihar while the Hon’ble Chief Justice Shri B.C. Basak was the Chief Guest at the Closing Ceremony held on 14th December 1991. Hon’ble Shri B.C. Basak had been a daily visitor to the fairground and was also actively associated with many other programmes under the project.
The 4th Patna Book Fair held from 14th to 25th November 1992 was inaugurated on 13th November by Hon’ble Chief Justice Shri B.C. Basak who was also Chief Guest at the Closing Ceremony of the event on 24th December. The 5th Patna Book Fair held from 15th December to 26th December 1994 inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Laloo Prasad was yet another milestone in the history of national book fairs. It was considered a ‘never before show’ as the fairground attracted sea of humanity besides a galaxy of reputed dignitaries from all corners of the country to witness the event.
Apart from the main book fair, seminars and workshops on current topics of public interest, quiz contest, on the spot painting, essay and debate competition, elocution contest and cultural activities are also organised under the project. Among the other programmes being organised under the project every alternate year the Organising Committee also holds two well-attended functions — the opening and closing ceremonies.
The objective of Patna Book Fair is manifold-to popularise books in Hindi, English and regional languages amongst the people of Bihar, to provide them an opportunity to seek new horizons of knowledge, and to generate reading habits. For a systematic growth of children it is essential that they are given the opportunity of reading books of general interest apart from conventional ones. Unfortunately there are not too many good bookshops in Bihar where one can find a wide range of good and useful books of general interest, though textbooks, guides and notes are available in plenty.
Considering the fact that there are seventeen universities in Bihar, equal number of medical colleges, two agricultural universities, several engineering colleges, hundreds of degree colleges and public schools, Bihar provides ample opportunities to the publishing world. But a gap is always felt between the demand and availability of relevant books in local market. This book fair, besides the above, would also help in activating the local trade once the demand has been assessed through the opportunity provided by the fair. Furthermore, in view of Patna’s ideal geographical location, the fair is bound to attract people from the whole of North-east India, Sikkim, Bhutan, North Bengal, Eastern U.P., whole of Hindi belt and Nepal and ultimately Patna would become a feedling point for all such customers which at present are being fed from Calcutta and Delhi. Patna Book Fair will also provide a meeting platform to publishers and customers when both are looking for each other as well as for intellectuals, journalists, academicians, politicians and men of varied interests.
Books are food to mind and to nourish the millions of creative minds which has the potential of remoulding destiny, we need good books. They are the most effective carriers of information, knowledge and skill that are essential and crucial ingredients to developmental process. Today when the social systems all over the world have been undergoing radical transformation, books remain as the most potent weapon to combat the evil designs and help instal an order based on wisdom and sagacity, common understanding, peaceful co-existence, sans the man-made barriers of language, culture and creed. Illiteracy is a slur on human civilization. Patna Book Fair reaffirms its commitment to eradication of illiteracy and propagation of education for development.
More and more book fairs are organised today but most of them take place in cosmopolitan cities. The assemblage of information and knowledge can no longer be restricted to these centres alone as the need of the day is to put an immediate halt to the policy that helps create lopsided intellectual growth and bring about serious distortions in social system. In a state like Bihar where the educational system appears to be at its lowest ebb, organisation of such fairs is a necessity to rekindle hope and inspiration in the minds of the people now seized in the reign of darkness and despair. A good beginning has already been made in Bihar and the organisation of current national-level Patna Book Fair will further the process of improved reading habit, acquisition of latest information and knowledge, creation of social awareness and inculcation of moral values among its people.
The dream of a strong united India amidst all its cultural diversities was so dear to the founding fathers of the nation which can be witnessed at the Patna Book Fair in display of books in different languages at one place that facilitate inter-cultural exchange forming the unshakable basis for national integration. Arousal of national awareness and formation of an integrated perspective spurred by such activities would be the most positive contribution to the national well-being.
There is no dearth of book lovers in Bihar and a vast potential exists in the state which awaits outside exposure. Patna Book Fair, apart from helping to bridge the crucial gap, will provide impetus to local book trade to gear their systems to changing needs and reading habits of the people. There will be a huge trickle down effect of the book fair and the facilities to channelise the potential to reach out to the reading masses with all its variety and richness will soon come up. The direct and indirect impact of the book fair will be manifold. The poorly stocked institutions/libraries of Bihar woefully lacking in variety and taste will get an apt opportunity to replenish their stocks with valued materials of which they did not have proper appreciation earlier on. This will result into an exposure to the readers and authors of Bihar to a wide range of works and broaden their canvas of creative activities. The authors of Bihar will also get national and international markets and there will be buoyancy in book trade of Bihar. It is noteworthy that over 10 crore people in India derive sustenance from book trade and the country can ill-afford to accord a lower priority to this sector and lose massive employment opportunities in purely economic terms too.
The book fair was held for the first time in Bihar in 1985 by a public undertaking which unfortunately could not evoke a good response largely due to managerial failings and flaws and only 40% of the total arrival could be disposed of. But the last book fair held in 1994 of which the refreshing memories are still alive in the minds of the people, proved to be a spectacular success and over 90% of the stocks displayed were disposed of. This speaks of the enormity of readership in Bihar. So much so that most of the publishers who initially bore scepticism in their minds, had to requisition additional consignment of books. Bihar provides ample opportunities to the publishing world. But a gap is always felt between the demand an availability of relevant books in local market. This spectacular event would also help in activating the local trade once the demand has been assessed through the opportunity provided by such fairs.
This biennial book-event has been planned on a much larger scale this year as the countdown for 21st century has already begun. Needless to mention that this is going to be the greatest show of 20th era in Bihar.
