Lucknow: The 23rd National Book Fair at Balrampur Garden on Ashok Marg witnessed a strong turnout of young readers on the second day, coinciding with the Gandhi Jayanti holiday. Dedicated to the theme of Vande Mataram, the fair is showcasing a wide range of new and popular titles.
At the Prabhat Prakashan stall, books attracting readers include former police officer Prakash Singh’s Sangharsh, Hemant Sharma-edited Assi Ke Das Saheb on Ram Bahadur Rai, Rajiv Ranjan and Rachna Naidu’s Tera Raaj Nahin Aayega Re on lesser-known aspects of Maoism, Dr Sarvan Singh Baghel’s Charaiwati, and former IAS officer Arvind Kumar Singh’s Sakshatkar Darpan, based on Indian consciousness and interview guidance.
Rajpal publications are drawing interest with Hariram Meena’s Dhooni Tape Teer, Bhagwant Anmol’s Bawani Imli, based on the 1857 uprising, and Devdutt Pattanaik’s Kamal in Indian Religious and Cultural Traditions. At Rajkamal, Mrinal Pande’s Udti Stree, Manisha Kulshreshtha’s Meghdoot Ki Raah Ke Pathik, Shantwana Dubey Tiwari’s Meri New York Diary and Neha Dixit’s translation Koi Ek Saeeda are among the popular titles.
The day featured book discussions, poetry and literary sessions. A discussion organised by Authors Adda saw Aditi Kumar, Usha Kumar, Vineet K. Tripathi and Vijay Pal Singh speak about their books, while Rekha Agrawal presented bhajans. Later, writers and scholars discussed Shailendra Jasraj’s Kahani Phir Kabhi and Koi Geet Subah Ke Gaata Hai. Sumbul Siddiqui’s English books Echoes of Resilience and Unbroken Glow were also discussed.
A literary discussion on the second stage featured Sanjay Jaiswal, Sarvesh Asthana and others, while book lovers presented their own writings.
The fair remains open daily from 11 am to 9 pm, with a minimum 10 per cent discount on every book purchased.
The collaborators include UP Metro, Radio City, Origins, Kiran Foundation, Join Hands Foundation, Lokangan, Vishwam Foundation, Vijay Studio, Golden Grass and Kavita Kisse Kahaniyan.
Programme on October 3
- 11 am: Book launch – Rashmi Srivastava
- 2 pm: Author interaction
- 3 pm: Felicitation ceremony – Yuva Rachnakar Manch
- 4 pm: Book launch ceremony – Sahitya Sansad
- 6 pm: Book launch and discussion
