Books worth Rs 8-crore sold at Guwahati Book Fair

After months of slumps, thanks to the pandemic, and the general apathy towards language writings, the publishing sector in Assam received a much-needed shot in the arm at the 33rd Guwahati Book Fair held from 30 December 2020 to 10 January 2021. It being the first major book related public event in more than a year, according to Publication Board Assam, the organiser of the event, around 25,000-1 lakh people attended the fair every day, and books worth Rs 8-crore were sold in 12 days.

13 Jan 2021 | By Dibyajyoti Sarma

Around 25,000-1 lakh people attended the fair every day

While the visitors took the opportunity to attend a public event after months of being couped up at home, for Assamese-language publishers and booksellers, it was an opportunity to sell not just their back catalogue, but also release new books. The event show release of numerous books, especially poetry collections by younger poet, which too saw a generous reception.

The bestselling title at the show, however, was a book, written by a driver, Rupam Dutta, called, Life of a Driver.

Pramod Kalita, secretary, Publication Board Assam, said, "After Covid-19, the 33rd Guwahati Book Fair is the first such fair in entire India that has brought some reliefs to the bookstall owners. It has achieved a milestone in the history of Guwahati Book Fair.”

He added that the Publication Board alone sold books worth Rs 12-lakh.

Other bestselling titles included poetry collections by Hiren Bhatacharjee and Bipuljyoti Saikia, and novels by authors like Geetali Borah and Rita Choudhury, and perennial favourites like Asimat Jar Heral Seema by Kanchan Baruah. A biography of former chief minister Tarun Gogoi also received a good response.

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