Book fair begins today, Pakistani contingent awaits visa

The 40th iteration of the New Delhi World Book Fair is all set to be inaugurated on Monday, but the six stalls reserved for Pakistani publishers might remain empty. A contingent of at least 20 publishers from the neighbouring country was expected in India this week, but is yet to get a visa.

According to the National Book Trust director MA Sikandar, the Pakistani visas are scheduled to be cleared on February 4, the day of the inauguration of the festival. Thus, the fair is likely to begin without the presence of Pakistan. NBT is organising the fair along with the India Trade Promotion Organisation.

Representatives of publishing houses from all the 25 participating countries and other UN bodies have arrived in the country and have set up shop at Pragati Maidan.

According to organisers, participating publishing houses from Pakistan are always the last ones to arrive in the country, even though all necessary clearances are provided much in advance. "They usually apply a couple of months in advance but are the among the last to receive their visas," the NBT director said. He said some issue or the other "comes up every time".

For the first time this year, the fair will include business to business meetings and will host at least 1,100 Indian and foreign publishers. The theme of the fair this year is "Indigenous Voices — Mapping India's Fold and Tribal Literature". The fair is also offering new initiatives to promote reading and to offer a business platform to authors and publishers.

As the "Guest of Honour" country, France will bring the largest contingent to the World Book Fair. This year, famous writers like Tahar ben Jelloun from Morroco, Kenize Mourad from France and India's Jeet Thayil will attend the fair.

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