Guwahati: Asom Granthamela (Assam Book Fair) begins at Assam Engineering Institute playground at Chandmari locality in the city amidst the threat of corona-spread across Bharat, where thousands of book-lovers thronged braving the increasing cold wave in the region. The 12-day event has attracted nearly 150 book-publishing groups comprising 10 from Bangladesh, 10 from New Delhi and 5 from Kolkata along with local publication houses.
Jointly organised by Asom Prakashan Parishad (the State government run Publication Board Assam) and All Assam Publishers & Book Sellers Association, the Granthamela was officially inaugurated by State education minister Dr Ranoj Pegu on 29 December 2021. Prakashan Parishad chairman, while addressing the gathering, also expressed happiness that more people are now reading books.
The minister however emphasized on developing a culture of book reading and insisted on translating various literary works in Assamese to different larger languages and also translating ethnic language creations of the region into Assamese. Dr Pegu also honoured Dr Nandita Devi with Prakashan Parishad literary award for her novel ‘Bongol Bohu Door’ along with its publisher Nagen Sarma of Jyoti Prakashan.
Asom Sahitya Sabha president Dr Kuladhar Saikia, in his speech, stressed on popularising the books among the young people with new contents. He argued that new technology should be used for making books available to them. Dr Noni Gopal Mahanta, adviser to the education department, claimed that even after the invasion of internet and social media, the books remain popular around the world.
It may be mentioned that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the publishers & book-sellers could not organise Northeast Book Fair last year and it even failed to accommodate the annual event because of anti-CAA (citizenship amendment act) movements in 2019 too. However, Prakashan Parishad successfully held Guwahati Granthamela in 2020 with significant public support.
This time, organisers of both the events have joined hands to pave the way for Asom Granthamela, where State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had taken a positive initiative for the combined effort. Next year, both the events may take place separately if the corona-situation improves significantly, informed Sarma, who served as the education minister in Sarbananda Sonowal-led State cabinet.
The inaugural function was attended by Prakashan Parishad secretary Pramod Kalita, its vice-president Sumanta Chaliha, publishers & book-sellers association office-bearers Dhiraj Goswami, Imran Ahmed, Baharul Islam Choudhury, etc. The first evening’s cultural programs were inaugurated by Pabitra Margherita, member-secretary of the State level advisory committee for student and youth welfare. The fair is open from 11 am to 8 pm every day where the children are enjoying free entry.
Asom Granthamela begins in Guwahati
