Every living thing, every leaf, every bird is only alive because it contains the secret word of life. On a gloomy day, the best way to get over the bluesy mood is to cuddle up with a book. With immense gusto and high spirits, the New Delhi World Book Fair 2018 will be held from January 6 to 14. The central theme this year is preservation and protection of our environment and climate. The theme attempts to highlight that environment is our basic life support system. During the Fair, discussions, conversation with the authors, environmentalists and book release functions would be organised where experts would discuss various ways through which environment can be saved from further deterioration. Over twenty countries from across the European Union will participate with a delegation of publishers, editors and authors. 800 publishers will attend the event with popular Indian writers like Ruskin Bond, Narendra Kohli, Jerry Pinto and Paro Anand. “With13 lakh individuals ushered in last year, we have greater expectations this year,” said the chairman of the National Book Trust, Baldeo Bhai Sharma. With an effort to preach Har Haath Ek Kitaab to the youth, “We have roped in Akashvani and Doordarshan as our broadcast partners. All FM channels will publicise the event. Even autos and billboards will carry the ad.” To spread awareness among the masses, a theme calendar has been designed for distribution on important aspects like cleanliness and safeguarding animals, birds, water, air and trees. To strengthen Prime Minister’s Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative, publishing courses and Mahila lekhan Protsahan Yojna have been introduced exclusively for women. “Our traditions respect woman and their opinions. To help them move ahead, we need to create an atmosphere with positive perceptions. Only through their writings can we understand her struggles better and improve the living conditions”, said he.
Every day there will be special performances showcasing India’s traditional as well as classical art forms. Sonal Mansingh, first Indian woman dancer to be awarded Padma Bhushan will choreograph a classical fusion piece on conservation of our natural resources. Malini Awasthi will sing folksongs in Hindi dialects like Awadhi and Budelkhand spreading sacred messages of our ancestors. Anupam Mishra, the author of the bestseller Aaj Bhi Khare hain Taalab was an environmentalist, water conservationist, Gandhian and journalist who recently passed away. As a tribute to his incredible work, a documentary will be screened and a seminar on his life will also be unveiled. From the time of Rigveda, our age old sages have been chanting mantras that have helped trees grow and flourish.