National Book Trust, India

Delhi Crowned World Book Capital

The declaration of Delhi as World Book Capital for the year 2003-04 has brought honour and dignity to the entire nation and especially to the Indian publishing faternity. The decision has been jointly taken by UNESCO, the International Publishers Association (IPA) and a number of other book related international agencies. After Alexandria and Madrid, Delhi will be the third capital to be glorified in this manner. The conferment of this title can be attributed to five important factors: India's international standing in the book world with its membership of the International Publishers Association dating back to 1956; India being the sixth nation in the quantum of book production in the world; its publishing potential of over 70,000 books every year with the help of 15,000 publishers in as many as 24 languages; its recognition as a treasure trove of literature in a score of languages; its recognition as a treasure trove of literature in a score of languages; and its potential for translation rights which emerged as a boon in the 24th International Publishers' Congress and has been growing ever since.

The National Book Trust, India has been designated by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, as the nodal agency for all promotional ventures to mark the ocassion. The celebrations begin on 23 April 2003, which is otherwise observed as World Book and Copyright Day, all over the globe as per a IPA and UNESCO declaration. It was felt that historically books have been the most powerful factor in the dissemination of knowledge and the most effective means of inspiring behaviour based on understanding, mutual respect and a scientific outlook which is the need of the day. Thus is its 28th session held in November 1995 the General Conference of UNESCO and IPA passed a resolution to observe 23 April as World Book and Copyright Day.

The opportunity of Delhi (India) getting the honour of being declared the World Book Capital is a rare opportunity and we need to make the best of it. All academic bodies like the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Confederation of Indian Industries, as also India Trade Promotion Organisation and other public undertakings have come forward to join hands in making this national event successful from every count. Many social and cultural organisations are ready and willing to assist and contribute to the success of the event.

To mark the ocassion a number of activities and programmes have been envisaged. To begin with, around 44 book exhibitions are scheduled to take place in Delhi from 1 to 5 May 2003. Eleven exhibitions in each zone demarcated as east, west, north and south. Children shall be the main target for all promotional ventures. Therefore, it was thought appropriate that before the schools close for summer vacation, children are equipped with a variety of books so that they spend the summer time comfortably indoors in the company of books.

Besides the primary objective of making India a book reading society, there are other multifarious tasks on the agenda as given below. To upgrade and set up a user friendly and modern library network all over the country whereby the latest books, Cds and micro films shall be made easily accessible. India being primarily an agrarian country, there is an imminent need to establish and strengthen a strong distribution system to bridge the gap between demand and supply. Accordingly, a string of bookshops shall be opened for this purpose, where books shall be made available at reasonable rates. An informative database of books shall be generated for the benefit of the reader. Periodicals on India book publishing shall be brought out and widely circulated. Moreover, awards shall be instituted to recognise and honour outstanding contribution of publishers. A book museum is also proposed to be set up to stock scholarly books by Indian saints and thinkers at national as well as state levels.

Measures shall be taken to project Delhi as a representative city of Indian publishing industry by opening a 'Book Mall' in the Pragati Maidan and more and more book stores/shops and permanent stalls at other places including Dilli Haat. In its endeavour to promote this aspect throught the reservoir of Indian literature as nothing can promote Indian art and culture better than Indian books.

An extensive awareness campaign shall be the hallmark of the entire celebration. A wide range of publicity as well as prmotional material shall be mailed to all the 15,000 publishers, 259 universities and nearly nine lakhs of other educational institutions in India including schools and colleges. The Trust shall approach these organisations to spread the message of books as the means to build a harmonious society based on mutual regard and affection by organising book exhibitions and other book related activities.

The Trust shall also appeal to all major newspapers. All India Radio and Doordarshan of Prasar Bharti (Broadcasting Corporation of India) as well as other news agencies and channels to spread the message of the declaration country wide. Everywhere the importance of books as playing a pivotal role in forging unity and love for our mother India shall be highlighted.

If India awakens to the realisation of tapping its publishing potential now, it will be a world leader in the near future as far as publishing is concerned.

Issued by National Book Trust, India