The 20th edition of North East Book Fair was inaugurated by noted litterateur Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi on Friday at Assam Engineering Institute playground at Chandmari in Guwahati.
Addressing the programme, Thongchi emphasized the need to take the book reading culture among the young generation.
He said electronic gadget or digital platform cannot replace the printed form of books.
“The feel at reading a printed book is unexplainable whereas that feel is absent in digital medium,” Thongchi said.
Thongchi also said, “Social media has played an important role in the growth and development of literature. I have observed many youths on social media like Facebook. They write very well and their writing is acknowledgeable. Internet has brought a new revolution in the world of literature.”
All Assam Publishers and Book Sellers Association president Ajit Kumar Barman, during his inaugural address expressed strong resentment and said, “Government should not do any discrimination among the book fairs. Government provides full support to Guwahati Book Fair which is a good thing. But, at the same time they should also provide some support to other book fairs.”
While claiming that the publishers and sellers are keeping the book industry alive, Barman urged the government not to kill the industry by providing free books to the students.
Barman demanded the government to find out alternative mechanism instead of free book distribution system.
“Provide scholarships to the students instead of providing free books. So that the publishers and book sellers can also live a life,” Barman said.
Barman also demanded the government to install a national library in the state and supply sufficient books to the existing libraries of the state.
He also asked government to provide sufficient funds for the infrastructure development of the existing libraries.
Noted litterateur Kanaksen Deka was also present as the chief guest.
Attending the opening ceremony, All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) chief advisor, Sammujjal Bhattacharya announced that AASU is planning to establish libraries across the State.