Behind the scenes with Farida M. Naik, Jt. Director (Admin & Finance) NBT

In a conversation with Farida M. Naik, Joint Director (Admin & Finance) NBT

Please give us a behind the scenes view of the fair.
Everyone's been on their toes for the last 2 months and the work was divided between many people. Everyone worked hard starting from the director who would be typing letters and personal invites to celebrities and ministers. We worked very closely as a team and that is what has made the difference.

What are the changes that you wanted to bring about that you regret not having been able to implement?
We wanted to give a professional look to the entire affair which we were able to achieve. One thing that we wanted was seating space for the visitor. In the end there was too much rush so we weren't able to achieve that. However, we were able to have a lot of walking space. Most of the things we had planned we were able to achieve.

What is your vision for the coming year?
We have made great progress but we aim to make it better. We'll put in more hard work and achieve all that we couldn't do this year.

How does it feel with the event coming to a close?
In the last two months we were deeply involved in arranging the fair. We do have many activities which we need to get on with but one will miss working on the book fair till it's time for the next one in 2013!

Interview with Sumit Bhattacharjee, Asst. director NBT

As the fair draws to an end, we spoke to some of those who were are the pillars of the fair. We spoke to Sumit Bhattachajee, the Assistant director of National Book Trust about the travails and experience of putting up the gala event that the book fair is. 

What goes into the making of the World Book Fair?

Hardwork, planning and goodwill. If one of them is missing, nothing can be done.

What have you tried to do differently at this year's fair?

I've been associated with the book fair for several years now. This is probably my 14th time. This time we have a new team. We thus thought we should do something new this time that is better than what we've done before. I can't blow my own trumpet beyond this so I will leave it for the people who have visited the fair to comment.

How did you conceptualize the theme of the fair?

We wanted to do something combining literature and cinema because cinema is celebrating 100 years next year. We even released a calendar on the theme of Cinema and Literature. That was a big success. After that we began work on this theme.

What were the efforts that went into attracting young people to the fair?

The dates of the world book fair coincided with school exams this time so we targeted young adults. We had a massive advertising campaign through which we were able to get massive footfall at the fair.

Any closing comments to the audience on the social media networks?

Hope to see you again next year!

Interview with M.A. Sikander, Director-NBT

By Manjari Kaul

Excerpts of an interview with M.A. Sikander, director, National Book Trust:

M.A. Sikander

 Manjari Kaul: How do you feel about the Union HRD Minister declaring the World Book Fair to be an annual event?

MA Sikander: I am happy that the government has considered that the biennial event be made annual. However, an event of this magnitude requires a lot of organization, planning and depends heavily on funding. There is many a thing to be done between a decision and it's realization. Having said that, the fair  becoming an annual affair is a welcome decision. 

MK: What are the chief features of this year's book fair?

MAS: The theme this year is Literature & Cinema. Over 300 books in English, Hindi, Urdu and regional languages dealing with Indian cinema are exhibited. There is a special pavilion dedicated to cinema. Further, continuing the government's celebration of hundred years of Delhi will be a special focus on Delhi as well through a display of photographs and books describing the city. Through this we have made an effort so that the focus on books is not lost.

MK: Apart from books what else can a person visiting the fair expect to encounter/ enjoy?

MAS: We have organized several book releases, film screenings and cultural events. It is a challenge to keep an event alive for 9 days  but we hope that through these events and the love for books more and 

more people come in to visit the fair. 

MK: Are there any special attractions for children and the youth as this is really when most people pick up the reading habit?

MAS: Yes, childhood is really when one develops the reading habit. A lot of people say that they will read after retirement but that really never happens. This habit must be inculcated during childhood itself so that they enjoy the joys of reading throughout their lives. There is a special children's pavilion and special workshops are being held for children. We will hold one workshop on Mathematics skills for children.

MK: What is your message for those who have not visited the fair yet?  

MAS: My message is really for the parents. They should get their children to the fair and introduce their children to the habit of reading. Books are a tool of character building. Reading books can also be relaxing experience. Lastly, books are our best friends!