Shillong, Oct 05: The 2nd edition of the Shillong Book Fair, organised by the National Book Trust, India (under the Ministry of Education, Government of India) was inaugurated by the Governor of Meghalaya, Shri C.H. Vijayashankar, today on Saturday, 5 October 2024.
The nine-day book fair will be on till 13 October 2024 on the premises of the State Central Library in the hill city. The Governor expressed happiness at this festival of knowledge for the benefit of the youth of Shillong.
Speaking at the inauguration, Shri F.R. Kharkongor, IAS, Principal Secretary, Dept. of Arts and Culture, Govt. of Meghalaya lauded the audience for braving the inclement weather and said that the participation proved that “you are all for books”.
Congratulating the National Book Trust India for choosing Shillong as the venue for the 2024 chapter of the book fair, he said, “We hope that this (book fair event) will grow from strength to strength.” Quoting Khalil Gibran, he told students that books would help them rise above fears. “Be a reader, be a leader,” he encouraged.
Thanking the Government of Meghalaya and the State Education Department for supporting the book fair, Shri Yuvraj Malik, Director National Book Trust India said that books are an integral part of any civilisation.
Shri Malik addressed the school students present in the U Soso Tham Auditorium, and told them that they are the ambassadors of the book fair and as the future generation, they will become the dignitaries in the years to come with their power of knowledge if they include reading books in their daily lives.
“It is very encouraging to see such an event has come to Shillong. Books are something that defines a person,” said Vijay Kumar Mantri, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Dept. of Education, Govt. of Meghalaya who prefers “reading to listening because that creates images in my mind”.
Other dignitaries at the dais included Shri Swapnil Tembe, IAS, Director, Dept. of Education, Govt. of Meghalaya; and Shri DD Shira, Director, Dept. of Arts & Culture, Govt. of Meghalaya.
Though the book fair opened amid heavy rain, the overwhelming participation of school students on Day 1 was heartening. Over 300 students from more than 10 schools in the city thronged the venue.
The inaugural day has two children’s events — a drawing competition and an orientation session on Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya. The topics for the drawing competition are ‘My City, My Shillong’ and ‘When I Grow Up’.
Two cultural programmes — performances from Geetanjali Dance School by students of Monica Chanda and Snam Rangsa Band — is set to enthrall visitors in the evening. The book fair will host several cultural and children’s events in the coming days.
