Imphal Book Fair winds up with lower sales
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 24 : The 32nd Imphal Book Fair, held at the State Central Library and Manipur State Archives campus in Imphal concluded today.
The 10-day event featured 100 stalls and saw participation from 43 exhibitors-30 from Manipur and 13 from Guwahati, Kolkata, Silchar, Andhra Pradesh, and New Delhi.
The fair was jointly organized by the Manipur Library Association (MALA), several NGO-run public libraries, and the State Central Library under the Department of Art & Culture.
Some stall owners told The Sangai Express that this year's book fair saw more visitors than previous editions, but the number of people purchasing books was lower.
They noted that most visitors bought stationery items with unique designs.
Hundreds of students visited every day, but most of them bought only stationery items, the bookstall owners said and added that the economic hardship caused by the crisis in Manipur may also be a contributing factor to the decline in book sales.
They, nonetheless, expressed gratitude that the book fair was organised to promote people's engagement with books and literature.
Many parents also brought their children to the book fair, which was encouraging, they said and added that most visitors, however, didn't buy books.
Some visitors, on the other hand, stated that organising a book fair at least once a year is encouraging.
They appreciated the availability of all kinds of books viz fiction, history, literature, academic books, manga, graphic novels, comics, children books and competitive exam materials at discounted rates.
Some stalls sold pre-owned books for Rs 100 each, they said, adding that the sale of pre-owned books is encouraging not just because of the price, but because it reminded them of novels that feature pre-owned bookstores.
The closing ceremony of the book fair was graced by Art and Culture Commissioner H Gyan Prakash as chief guest, Deputy Secretary Asem Regina Chanu as president and former Director K Sobita as guest of honour.
During the function, prizes for quiz, debate and debate competitions held as part of the fair were distributed.
IMPHAL, Dec 24 : The 32nd Imphal Book Fair, held at the State Central Library and Manipur State Archives campus in Imphal concluded today.
The 10-day event featured 100 stalls and saw participation from 43 exhibitors-30 from Manipur and 13 from Guwahati, Kolkata, Silchar, Andhra Pradesh, and New Delhi.
The fair was jointly organized by the Manipur Library Association (MALA), several NGO-run public libraries, and the State Central Library under the Department of Art & Culture.
Some stall owners told The Sangai Express that this year's book fair saw more visitors than previous editions, but the number of people purchasing books was lower.
They noted that most visitors bought stationery items with unique designs.
Hundreds of students visited every day, but most of them bought only stationery items, the bookstall owners said and added that the economic hardship caused by the crisis in Manipur may also be a contributing factor to the decline in book sales.
They, nonetheless, expressed gratitude that the book fair was organised to promote people's engagement with books and literature.
Many parents also brought their children to the book fair, which was encouraging, they said and added that most visitors, however, didn't buy books.
Some visitors, on the other hand, stated that organising a book fair at least once a year is encouraging.
They appreciated the availability of all kinds of books viz fiction, history, literature, academic books, manga, graphic novels, comics, children books and competitive exam materials at discounted rates.
Some stalls sold pre-owned books for Rs 100 each, they said, adding that the sale of pre-owned books is encouraging not just because of the price, but because it reminded them of novels that feature pre-owned bookstores.
The closing ceremony of the book fair was graced by Art and Culture Commissioner H Gyan Prakash as chief guest, Deputy Secretary Asem Regina Chanu as president and former Director K Sobita as guest of honour.
During the function, prizes for quiz, debate and debate competitions held as part of the fair were distributed.