IMPHAL: In a remarkable display of resilience and literary fervour, the 30th Imphal Book Fair, originally set to conclude on December 21, has been extended by three days in response to public demand.
The fair, which began on December 15, faced obstacles such as a change in venue and a reduced number of participating book sellers and firms.
Despite these challenges, the fair reportedly drew a significant crowd, especially students from various parts of Manipur.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh lauded the organizers and encouraged the state’s youth to explore the fair before its extended conclusion on December 24.
“Book fair not only instills reading habits to the youths, but also provides the readers with an opportunity to interact with authors and publishers of books… Celebrate the joy of reading and embrace the knowledge waiting to be discovered,” he wrote on social media.
Renowned author Saratchand Thiyam highlighted the significance of book fairs as pillars of knowledge during troubled times. “Book Fair is more than a gathering for bibliophiles; it’s a social hub fostering a unique sense of community,” he told the press.
Despite the rise of e-books and digital libraries, Thiyam passionately defended the irreplaceable allure of physical books and the joy of storytelling from their original pages.
The week-long event, hosted jointly by the State Central Library, the Department of Art and Culture, and the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation from Kolkata, has been extended by three days to December 24.
